Four years ago I came to Park with big expectations and goals. As an international student who enrolled at a young age, leaving family and friends, behind; I can now say that Park helped me fulfill all my expectations and accomplish dreams and goals that I know I couldn’t have done back home. Four years have passed and graduation is around the corner.

Park not only helped me achieve dreams but it also opened my eyes to see the world and all types of people in it. I got to work, study and learn what makes a real quality of life.

Being from a country where the opportunities are narrow, I appreciate what I have and every moment of accomplishment or disappointments are important in the process of growing. I now understand culture and all the differences in it. I experienced loneliness and happiness and I now have the chance to say that I am graduating and closing one period of my life taking with me the sense of achievement and the best memories of my college career.

So here is a piece of advice for everyone starting at Park – enjoy every single part of it.

You should get involved at the university. There are different clubs and organizations for every type of person.

You should experience Kansas City. There’s so much more to see than what it is advertised.

You should make friends. They are the ones that stay with you forever.

You should travel abroad. Park has programs all over the world and scholarships are available that people don’t know about.

You should be open to opportunities and study hard. The opportunities are for those who fight for them and for those who make everything possible.

Most importantly, you should appreciate what life brings and don’t waste time. Procrastination is the worst enemy of a college student.