Being an international student at Barry University
- Néstor Noguera
- Dec 6, 2016
- 3 min read
Barry University is one of the smallest schools in the South Florida area. According to its website, it had a total of 7,971 students by Fall 2015 semester. By Fall 2015, Barry had a total of 555 students that were considered foreign. That would result in a 7% rate among the total of students, approximately. I know it doesn't sound as too much, but compared to Florida International University, Nova University and Florida Atlantic University for example, which are South Florida schools also, it's quite a lot.
Barry University. Image from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_University
I'll tell you something: Barry University is so small that it is so easy to make friends and meet new people. It reminds me to my elementary and high school in Venezuela. You know everybody! And everybody knows you. I love that. I love being known. Isn't it fun everybody knows your face even though they have never talked to you? I know many people's faces at Barry because I see them everyday walking around campus. I feel these people are my friends because I see them most of days, which is funny because we have never talked to each other, but the simple fact of seeing them so many times during so many days, makes me feel connected to them.
During three entire semesters that I have spent at Barry, I have never felt different for being foreign or for not speaking English as a native. I have totally felt the opposite way: As one more student, just like the other ones, Americans or non-Americans. Why? For two reasons. First of all: I always have one or more foreign students in all my different classes, so that gives me a lot of relief because I feel accompanied all the time. The second reason is that American students treat you very well, respectfully and friendly. They really know how to make you feel that they are trying hard to get you into their culture and community. The facts that they have invited me to study together or to have lunch or dinner, are examples of such effort by them.
I had the chance to interview Jorge Caripidis, a Venezuelan freshman student from Barry. He seems very happy at the school despite being far away from home, like me. "I really like Barry because we have a lot of diversity here and people are kind of nice. They treat you well no matter where you're from", said Caripidis.
Image of interview to Caripidis
Besides that, a really positive aspect for international students at Barry is the fact that classes are small, generally no more than 20 people, which helps you to make more friends and create a closer relationship with professors, and Caripidis agree with that. “I really like Barry because it’s a small school, so classes are small and in that way you can pay more attention to classes. Also, you get to know a lot of people and you get to meet friends. I like it”, the Venezuelan student concluded.
I'm going to make a personal suggestion for you if you are trying to study here in Miami, or in the United Sates in general: Don't be afraid. When you get into the school you choose, you will find so many people in the same situation as you. They all want the same as you. Making friends and succeed academically mostly, right? United States is a very open country, and it is made for you to succeed. Opportunities will be there. Good luck! You will be fine, trust me.
You can find my interview in this link: https://www.facebook.com/Barry-COM-322-1580786545562062/?fref=ts
P.D: In case you're wondering how I know that Barry has more international students that the mentioned schools in the first paragraph, the College Data website reflects it. From a group of researched schools in South Florida, which include Barry University, University of Miami, Florida International University and Florida Atlantic University, only UM has a greater rate of international students (14%), according to the website.
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