In this episode, you'll hear from Yahya Gahbiche, an international student from Tunisia who chose to come to the U.S. "because it was hard" and because his father motivated him. He is a senior and a first-generation college student majoring in Business Analytics at Seattle University. Yahya comes from a diverse cultural background and speaks five different languages. He shares how back in Tunisia, he'd take 12-13 classes every quarter. The course was much more rigorous and heavily focused on memorization, thus lacking a critical thinking piece central to the U.S. education system. He decided to enroll at Seattle University for many reasons, such as the program of study, location, scholarships, smaller class sizes, and recommendations from his friends. Some of the challenges that Yahya initially faced on campus were: the inability to attend late-night events as a commuter student, the high cost of living, and the lack of community. However, the International Student Center quickly became his second home. What reminds him of home? Taking part in religious occasions and listening to music close to his culture.  

Additional resources:

Seattle University International Students Association (SUISA): https://seattleu.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/seattle-university-international-students-association

Interesting facts about Tunisia: http://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-tunisia/