Coming to Binghamton: International students share experiences moving to America

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According to the Fall 2023 Binghamton University Headcount Report, more than 2,000 international students were enrolled at Binghamton last year. Whether it's driving across the Canadian border or flying halfway around the world, international students have an educational journey that many of us never experience. It's an adventure that can have a physical, emotional and mental toll on students trying to pursue their dream.

Kavisha Patel, a third-year pharmacy student (P3), made the move from Gujarat, India, to Binghamton to become a pharmacist at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SOPPS). It was a hard decision for Patel to move 7,499 miles away from her friends and family, but the University's outreach program and its warm, welcoming environment made the life-changing decision a little easier.

Kavisha Patel, P3 student Image Credit: Scott Sasina.

"Many U.S. universities make it hard to transfer credits from India, but thanks to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Binghamton and my first university in India, all my credits transferred easily," Patel said. "Also, after my interview with Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Aaron Beedle, she was so welcoming and positive that I told my mom, 'OK, I'm in good hands - I'm going to Binghamton!' The scholarship they offered me was another key reason, because it allowed me to focus on my studies rather than just worrying about finances."

Moving here was only the first step. Patel had to figure out the rest as she went, but she never felt alone.

"The first two months here were quite overwhelming," she said. "I would wake up, get ready and just take the bus to familiarize myself with the area. Initially, I was scared about how people would respond to my accent or if they would understand me. But when I arrived, everyone was so welcoming. My classmates were genuinely interested in learning about my culture and traditions, which made me feel at home."

Patel has also watched herself grow as a person since she moved to Binghamton - something she's extremely proud of.

"When I first arrived, I was really shy and nervous," she said. "I couldn't speak much because I was afraid people would judge me. But now, after two years, I'm so much more confident. I don't even prepare scripts for patient interviews anymore. I just know my material and feel ready. This change, from being reserved to becoming more extroverted, is a big transformation for me."

Friends speak your language

Of course, Patel isn't the only student to make such a big leap moving around the world. More than 900 Binghamton University students are from India or of Indian descent, living around the area and attending the University.

Heeral Naik, another third-year pharmacy student who moved here from Gujarat, says having such a strong Indian community really made a world of difference for her.

Heeral Naik, P3 student Image Credit: Scott Sasina.

"When I first came to Binghamton, I didn't know anyone, and I felt a bit lost," Naik said. "But one day, a girl who was a P4 at the time started speaking to me in Gujarati, which is my first language, and it felt so warm and familiar. There are several students here from my university in India, and we all live near each other at Campus Square. We all go to the same school, and it really helps having that community here. It's nice to have that comfort of speaking in your first language, especially when you're far from home. It makes the experience feel a little less overwhelming."

SOPPS has turned out to be everything Naik had hoped for, and she now considers it her home away from home.

"I love my school so much," she said. "Whenever someone asks me about the School of Pharmacy, I always say that it feels like a family. We are away from the main campus, so we have everything to ourselves - the parking lot, the facilities, everything. Everyone knows each other, whether it's the faculty, the student affairs team or the students. I live a couple of blocks away, so whenever I feel sad or disappointed, I come to school just to sit here. It's both my hangout place and my study spot, a place that feels comforting in every way."

For many students, like Kavisha and Heeral, family is everything. Moving to a new country when you don't know when you will see your relatives again is stressful, and having such a strong community in Binghamton is crucial for success.

"I haven't been this far away from my family. The longest I've gone without seeing them before was one week, and now I haven't seen them in one and a half years," Patel said. "Traveling back to India is a 24- to 48-hour journey, and it's expensive. Now I've made friends here, and they are my family as well."

Naik thinks the support from her parents is everything: "Every time I get overwhelmed or have a tough day, the first person I call is my dad. He may not always have a solution, but just talking to him calms me down and gives me perspective. He's always encouraging me to take on new challenges, even when I'm hesitant.

"For example, he encouraged me to reach out to professors for research opportunities, which led me to work with the Chair and Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice Kenneth McCall over the summer. He's always pushing me to try new things, and I usually end up in the right place because of his guidance."

Blending academics and athletics

Second-year pharmacy student Kyle Weekes didn't have to travel as far to come to Binghamton, driving across the Canadian border from his hometown of Lasalle, Quebec. On top of pursuing his educational dream of becoming a pharmacist, he's finding success in his athletic passion as well, being named a co-captain on Binghamton's men's tennis team.

"I decided to come to the United States from Canada because, like many other tennis players from back home, I wanted to continue playing tennis at a high level while pursuing my education in pharmacy," Weekes said. "The decision to leave my family and friends behind was not an easy one, as they have always been an important source of support and encouragement. However, after careful consideration, I knew that this opportunity would allow me to grow both as an athlete and as a student.

P2 student Kyle Weekes during a match for the Binghamton University Men's Tennis Team Image Credit: Jonathan Cohen.

"Binghamton University stood out to me because it offered the perfect balance between competitive tennis and a rigorous academic program in pharmacy, making it the ideal place for me to work toward achieving my long-term goals."

Weekes' experience in Binghamton over the past five years has been "tremendous." He's built strong relationships with other student-athletes, pharmacy colleagues, professors and coaches, and the sense of community both on and off the court has made Binghamton feel like a second home.

"One thing that really surprised me about the Binghamton area is how welcoming and tight-knit the community is," he said. "Coming from a different country, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I've been pleasantly surprised by how friendly and supportive people are here. I've also come to really enjoy the beautiful nature surrounding the area-there are so many parks and outdoor spaces to explore, which has been great for relaxing and clearing my mind after busy days. The change of seasons is another aspect I've grown to appreciate, especially the vibrant fall colors."

Weekes credits SOPPS for his success, saying the faculty and staff challenge him academically and make sure he's on track to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a pharmacist.

"From a young age, I have always aspired to become a pharmacist because of my passion for helping and caring for others," he said. "A career in pharmacy allows me to make a meaningful impact on people's lives while using my skills and knowledge to promote health and well-being. This school has provided me with the perfect environment to pursue this goal, offering not only exceptional faculty and staff but also invaluable opportunities to build the connections that will be crucial for my future career. This journey wouldn't have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, Coach Nick Zieziula's confidence in me and SOPPS's trust in my potential as a PharmD candidate. For all of this, I am truly grateful."

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