Urban Roots, Rural Calling

Transcript

This cheery Tokyo native came to the mainland US and discovered a calling to serve rural communities. Hina, a double major in international studies and business, has been a great resource for Hanover’s international students. Hina will tell us about her transition from urban Japan to Hanover’s welcoming campus community. Take it away, Hina.

– Thank you for the introduction, Alex. Growing up in Tokyo with family members who had study abroad, I wanted to follow in their footsteps. I’ve been to Hawaii before but I had never been to the mainland US. None of my family members studied in America and I wanted to experience a college environment in a beautiful rural area. I generally feel a passion to learn about the world. I am an international studies and business double major with an economics minor. In the future, I would love to do economic domain work to help people in rural areas, mainly with non-governmental organization. It was definitely hard adapting to a small liberal arts college in the US. I was always homesick right after coming back from Japan during the summer. Knowing the struggles of international students, I wanted to help incoming students transition to the US. I also invite them to study, have meals, and hang out. I have been involved a lot on campus. I joined a sorority. I love seeing my friends around campus and giving them hugs. My friends recommended me to be a student ambassador, and I feel that this position is a great fit for my cheery and optimistic personality. In addition to this, I also work as an intern for international student admission and provide help to prospective students with their Hanover appreciation. I also serve as a president International Club, senior resident assistant, and tutor. I’m sure these experiences have helped cultivate many skills that I can utilize in the future. My academic career at Hanover definitely broadened my horizons. Now, let’s travel back to Alex.

– Thank you, Hina. Hanover’s campus community encourages togetherness and presents many opportunities and activities to share our commonalities and uniqueness. Hanover’s international students and students of color are also supported by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Haq Center for Cross-Cultural Education. These offices help celebrate individual differences, promote inclusion, and provide great campus programming. Thanks again, Hina.