According to the International Student Office, 879 international students called NIU home last semester.

International students at NIU face many challenges, from fitting in with the students already here to understanding the American culture.

Devraj Ghosh, an international student seeking a bachelor’s and master’s degree in computer science, came to NIU last October from Bangalore, India.

“Back home, America is the place everyone wants to go some day because of the quality of life that it provides,” Ghosh said.

Students have a lot more choices in America, Ghosh said.

“Everything here is a lot more free. Back home, you cannot choose what you are going to do with your career or what kinds of classes you want,” he said.

For Ghosh to enjoy the freedoms of the United States, he had to travel halfway around the world, enduring three plane flights.

“There is an 11-hour time difference between DeKalb and back home, so I lost, like, two days traveling,” Ghosh said.

Ghosh, who also graduated from college in India, said that college life at NIU is far different from schools in India.

“My first week here, I went to a frat party, and that is something totally different from what I am used to.”

The classes at NIU are also different. Ghosh said there is more lab work, and that technology is more up-to-date, which is good because he is majoring in computer science.

Ghosh was also quick to notice that DeKalb weather is very different from India’s hot and dry climate.

“The second day I was here, it was bone-chilling cold. My car was buried in, like, 10 inches of snow, and I had no winter gear,” Ghosh said.

Besides the DeKalb weather, international students have to get used to the food that is offered in the United States. Ghosh said that the food here is very bland compared to his native India, where the food is usually very spicy and full of flavor.

Despite having to adjust to all the differences between the two countries, Ghosh says he appreciates the education he is getting at NIU.

“To me, NIU is a very quality education and helping me prepare for the business world.”