FOREIGN STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Foreign students. Almost everyday do we get across with this bunch of cool people in the campus. Oftentimes, I feel I’m in a country not my own seeing them in groups most especially when they converse in their mother tongue. Talking about unity in diversity, we can find it here in Southwestern University.  It’s pretty amazing you see foreign nationals in the university like Indians, Kenyans, Nigerians, Iranians, Nepalese, Thais, Koreans, Japanese, and others to name a few getting along each other like going to school together, studying in the library, eating in the canteen, or having a great time into the different corners of the university. Only in Southwestern University you can see a number of them, but we may not know, setting aside our amusement and all, these foreign students have also one goal to seek and one dream to attain..and that is to finish their degree and to serve the masses through the help of the high-quality education our dear institution is instilling.

Thriving in a Diverse World

So basically, what comes into our mind is that why these foreigners come to study in the Philippines? Why education in our country to be exact?  How is coping up with our culture and how different is it with theirs? And a whole lot more... We simply look in to how they deal with their day-to-day life without getting deeper into their thoughts about our country, our people and our education.  Luckily, I met some of them and when they come to tell me each of their stories, I realized this article won’t suffice their gratitude and amusement. I had learned much from the interview rather.

So much as we are interested in their culture is also the eagerness of these folks to share and exchange their way of life here in the Philippines. How they are getting along with things not customary for them. As the new student, Esther 20 years of age, who is planning to get nursing for the next school year, she can already see her future in Southwestern University.

ESTHER. I just like the school and I know they are offering nursing. I want to know more about nursing and since I have a cousin here who’s already studying engineering, i decided to come in here to study. This school is really ok and in terms of education they said it’s very good. I don’t find it hard adapting to Filipino culture since Filipinos are really friendly. They make life easier.

In the pursuit of success

As she is getting nearer towards the realization of her dreams, Rijal 19, a Nepalese, wants to pursue her current course to become a doctor.

RIJAL. My aim is to be a doctor. In my place, some doctors who are now successfully working in hospitals are a graduate from Southwestern University. Through them I chose this school. The Philippines is so nice. Yes, we sometimes find it hard coping since we are from different places and culture, there’s the climate to include. At first, everything was difficult but when we got used to it, it gets easier as we continue. Now, I find Filipinos so great, kind, and ready to help and share. As for the teachers, when we ask something, they are very approachable. The libraries and laboratories are functional as well. I like the curriculum and the course. All are pretty good and in free time, we stay around like this (referring to the interfaith chapel).

But she pleaded for one thing:

The books... if we could keep them for a few days or weeks, then that would be nicer.

Embarking to a world of no barriers  

Gaurav, 18, along with friends Dave and Chandhari are both Indians expressing how education here in the Philippines is high-standard yet very affordable. 

GAURAV Before Southwestern University, education for me is too much costly. We chose Southwestern University because they have a good name here. This school is very nice. I just came to know the school from one of my friends. Well, I don’t find it hard adapting because I’m up to it. The Filipino culture is not difficult since I belong to an English medium but yeah there are some people who find it difficult still. I have many Filipino friends and I can say they are well-mannered, behaved and very nice people. We are in this school for almost two months and things run smoothly for us.

But his appreciation towards the faculty struck me the most:

The faculties are superb. The students are very much impressed to them. They are very helpful and their way of teaching is very nice. We are all known by our faculties, they know our names.

Nuttawut, a medicine student from Thailand chose Southwestern University because of its popularity in catering competitive medical education.

NUTTAWUT. My senior is a graduate from here. After he graduated in Southwestern, I saw him very successful in life. I took medicine in Thailand before and in my old school I have some problems. The reason why I chose to study here is that aside it’s located in Cebu which is safer, this school is popular for those who want to proceed medicine. As for the Filipinos, they are fun, they help me in studying, and they really accommodate me when I’m doing something. The culture is the same, we have foods like Lechon in our place also.

Just like Rijal, Nuttawut is concerned about:

...there are too many students in the class. There should have more teachers to accommodate students and the classrooms have to be expanded.

Providing linkages around the globe

Erika, a student from Japan grabbed the chance to study English in the country by availing the intensive English Learning Program offered by Southwestern University.

ERIKA Our school sent us here to study English. The Philippines is known to be very good in teaching English because even my friends’ English skills improved after studying here for a year. It’s a nice thing they sent us in Southwestern because the school’s environment is very good and not that crowded.  People are nice, happy and they are always ready to help us. I can see our teachers are doing their best to make us understand everything. It’s been a week since we arrived and I love my stay in here. We have many Filipino friends already and it’s amazing they know some Japanese songs. As for the school’s activities, I love it and I learned a lot. I and my friends are thankful we got the chance to study in Southwestern University.

SWU: the ground for world-class education

Those were just bits of our lengthy conversations. If I were to account each of the foreign students’ perspective, all of them will shout the same: That they were not wrong in choosing the school for their dreams. Leaving their fate into the hands of our dear faculties is something the school has to be proud of. Should we be more open to them because we are one regardless of the color of our skin or the religion we’re in. At the middle of each talk, I saw no differences in regards to culture sensitivities and language barriers. More likely, they come to embrace and love country already.