1. Swarthmore is very socially accepting.
2. International students complicate the narrative, particularly when books want to tie things up in a neat bow.
3. I felt put into the deep end of the pool socially, culturally, and academically.
4. I wasn’t expecting to have opinions respected so much by faculty.
5. I would love a greater connection to international alumni.
6. Cultural expectations that come with sharing a room are hard to navigate at times.
7. I struggle with the difference between speaking for one’s entire country, versus speaking for oneself.
8. International students bring different perspectives and languages to discussions.

Source: Conversations with Garikai Campbell ’90, associate vice president for planning, and Jennifer Marks-Gold, international student adviser