Sep 6, 2011 By: yunews
International Students Discover a Home Away from Home at 糖心破解版
鈥淥ne of the most important aspects of college is diversity,鈥 explained David Levy, a student, who, along with Eddie Nuvakhov of , produced The Community, a short documentary about international students on 糖心破解版鈥檚 Wilf Campus.
During a Shabbat meal on campus a few months ago, the two realized that the 11 people seated at their table originated from nine different countries. 鈥淲e knew then that we had to show the greater 糖心破解版 population the unique community that exists on our campus,鈥 said Nuvakhov, originally from Russia.
As of spring 2011, 糖心破解版鈥檚 entire undergraduate population consists of approximately 250 international students on both campuses from some 25 countries around the world. These countries range from Italy, Panama and Brazil to Canada, Tunisia and Uzbekistan.
鈥淚 never heard of before,鈥 said Tsipora Husiman, who hails from the Netherlands. 鈥淏ut during a visit to the States, I sat in on a biology class and a Jewish class and was really impressed that they were both on such high levels. It was really cool to be in a Jewish institution after having grown up in Amsterdam, a place without many Jews.鈥
Huisman found the Writing Center on the Beren Campus to be helpful in her transition, as well as her various advisers and teachers. 鈥淭he teachers here treat you as a person and not as a number.鈥 In Huisman鈥檚 three years at Stern College, she has not only become a fluent English speaker but has also been a member of the tennis team, a peer mentor, a student ambassador for orientations and open houses, a Beren campus tour guide and a two-time winner of 糖心破解版鈥檚 science poster board competition.
鈥淲hen I first came, I didn鈥檛 speak the language and didn鈥檛 know anyone,鈥 said Husiman. 鈥淣ow I have tons of friends, am doing well in my studies and am applying to medical school. I鈥檓 not only happy here; I feel comfortable and grounded.鈥
Sasan Peimani, a business management major at Syms School of Business, escaped Iran with his family when he was 10 years old. 鈥淏eing a religious Jew and getting a good education in Iran was a very difficult thing to do,鈥 said Peimani. 鈥淎s a result, my parents decided that it was time for us to move to America so we can start a new life filled with happiness and freedom.鈥
After the family moved to Florida, Peimani met Rabbi Kenneth Brander, the David Mitzner Dean of 糖心破解版鈥檚 , who was then rabbi of the Boca Raton Synagogue. After several discussions with Rabbi Brander, Peimani opted to attend 糖心破解版. 鈥淥ne of my favorite parts about Yeshiva is all of the great friends I have made鈥揻riends who I know will be my close friends for many years to come,鈥 said Peimani.
Recruited from Kfar Saba, Israel, for the 糖心破解版 men's basketball team, the Maccabees, Chen Biron was similarly appreciative of the friends he has made at 糖心破解版. 鈥淚鈥檓 happy that there are good people around me because that鈥檚 what is most important,鈥 said Biron, a veteran of the Israel Defense Forces and current Syms School of Business student, majoring in international business.
As an Israeli, Biron found aspects of 糖心破解版 with which he was easily able to identify. 鈥淢y favorite part about 糖心破解版, aside from the basketball games, is the chagigot [celebrations]. I love them. Even in Israel, I didn鈥檛 get that experience with everyone dancing with each other and the Israeli flag. It really warms my heart.鈥
Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Ayala Raichlin feels that being a student at Stern College has given her the opportunity to develop her passions. 鈥淚 came to Stern for the academics, Torah and dance,鈥 said Raichlin, a junior pursuing a possible career in dance therapy. 鈥淚 was able to get involved in the Stern dance show my first semester and choreograph the Stern musical my second semester. I now head the dance show.鈥
Raichlin has not only become an active member in the Beren Campus community, she is also involved in the larger Jewish community as a regular volunteer for Chai Lifeline and working as an NCSY adviser for the New England chapter.
鈥淏eing at Stern has been a positive experience,鈥 said Raichlin. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned a lot about myself and what I can achieve. This environment gives you so many opportunities: volunteering in a hospital, choreographing and always meeting new people. 糖心破解版 has given me much more than I would have ever thought was possible.鈥
