Fall 2025 Newsletter

Coming to a university away from a home country is a special moment in a student’s educational path. Four new IFP students shared their thoughts and experiences with Bridging Borders editor, Joseph Briller: Rajkumar Karthikeyan from Komarpalayam, India; Obasanjo Fajemirokun from Okeigbo, Nigeria; Ivanna Yllahuaman from Lima, Peru; and Yash Jahagirdar from Mumbai, India. Welcome to Purdue!

As Rajkumar arrived at Purdue among the first things he noticed were the size of the campus and the multitudes of students. He chose Purdue for his Master’s in Business Technology because of its focus on innovation. Equally impressive was the global outlook he found on campus along with welcoming activities and the plethora of resources available to new students.

As he began his studies, certain aspects of a Purdue education became apparent. Professors welcomed questions, offered clarifications, emphasized experiential learning with practical exercises and real world examples. Discussion was encouraged and professors were available for office visits.

One aspect Rajkumar found he needed to master was time management. Like many international students he found the American academic system fast paced. He began to use his time efficiently to balance academics and extra curricular activities.

A roommate introduced him to IFP. It is not unusual for current and former IFP Members to spread the word. Students who have had fulfilling experiences with IFP Programs and devoted Host Families are eager to recommend joining and participating.

Arriving in a new country offers the chance for new culinary adventures. Rajkumar was delighted by the varieties of pizza and coffee. Milkshakes of various flavors attracted his attention, especially mango, as well as the availability of chocolate chip cookies.

Rajkumar has some suggestions for new international students. They include keeping an open mind, taking advantage of resources, exploring the community and mingling with people from other places. It is important to not be afraid of being in another country. “Take what it has to offer and you will accustom well.”

Obasnjo had feelings of excitement and gratitude as he arrived at Purdue. Its commitment to innovation and world-class research would be valuable to a future career of meeting challenges he would face in educational settings. A Purdue PhD in Curriculum Studies would help him prepare for them.

He found on campus an atmosphere that promoted curiosity and academic excellence. Professors encouraged dialogue and critical thinking. They valued students’ perspectives and showed interest in their academic and personal growth.

Obasanjo welcomed the chance to engage with peers from other countries. He learned that education connects us all and it broadened his worldview and cultural perspectives in ways that will be a positive influence in his professional career.

Arriving in a new country offers the chance to sample its foods. A discovery of mac and cheese became a new taste for him. However, it was pizza that quickly became his favorite. While Americans cannot claim its originality, it cannot be denied that it is consumed in huge amounts on our campuses.

Obasanjo saw benefits in becoming active in the Purdue Community. He joined academic groups, attended workshops and made sure to connect with other students, which helped him build friendships and feel more at home.

Getting students to feel at home when far from home is a major part of IFP’s work. Obasanjo found us from Purdue’s emails for incoming students. IFP has helped ease his transition and offered guidance on cultural adaptation and practical matters.

Similar to many IFP Members, he tells new international students to be open-minded and proactive, ask questions, and engage in the community. He feels IFP has empowered him to be a part of our global academic community.

Purdue’s excellent biomedical engineering program brought Ivanna to West Lafayette. She had learned about it during an internship at the University of Calgary. Like many international students, she was captivated by our large campus with all its greenery.

In biomedical engineering as in other STEM areas, labs are essential and Ivanna was delighted by how well equipped she found those at Purdue. She noted how knowledgeable her professors were about their subjects and found their presentations practical and relevant.

She got used to making sure to be on time. It was necessary to carefully note class and bus schedules and plan on navigating the distances on campus.

As with international students in general, there was the opportunity for new culinary adventures. For Ivanna it was not the main courses that led to her biggest change. She liked the sweetness of ketchup, replacing mayonnaise as her go to condiment.

Ivanna joined IFP after hearing a presentation by Director Leah Bechtold. She had arrived on campus not knowing anyone. IFP became especially important, helping her meet people and make new friends.

There were other benefits as well. One was becoming accustomed to shopping in large supermarkets. She learned to compare prices and save money. Another was learning about their cultures from her new friends. She became aware of how each has its own perspectives, ways of thinking and solving problems.

Ivanna advises new international students to participate in as many activities as possible. “Go to events, practice English, travel, make new friends, leave your comfort zone. You can learn something from each new person you meet.” Ivanna feels planning for the future is good, but suggests enjoying the present as well.

Yash was also impressed by the size and spread of Purdue’s campus. Beyond that he admired the efforts of beautification and the variety of buildings.

Yash chose Purdue because he feels its programs are designed to make graduates better scientists. He is currently a PhD candidate in life sciences. He likes the interdisciplinary aspects that bring various sciences together to meet the goals of the program. He adjusted to the Purdue pace to maximize his time.

Yash admired an ambiance of communication between professors and students, as well as that of the students with each other. How preparation and planning was valued became an asset to the program.

Yash’s new culinary treats included waffles, pancakes, wings and berry juices.

In Purdue’s international setting, he found his own horizons expanding. He saw there were common issues for many international students. Yash was impressed by how they solved problems in different ways using methods from their respective culture.

Most of all, Yash’s experiences revealed how the international ambiance at Purdue helps to transcend borders. He saw how this was accomplished in his studies of life sciences. However, the transcending of borders also extended into the social life on and around campus. It was interesting to see Yash on Pumpkin Painting Day bonding with new friends from different parts of the world.

Yash learned about IFP by an email from Purdue’s International Students and Scholars. He quickly saw how its host families were so effective in helping new Boilers adjust to American Culture.

Yash’s advice to new international students makes two cogent points. He understands it can be stressful studying and living in a new country. So he tells them to be gentle on themselves and allow time for adjustment. He also suggests being open to new possibilities and make the effort to see the best of those you find.

September 26th was still a month away from Halloween, but for 50 IFP’ers gathered at the Launch Ministry House, the spirit was already there. The event was the annual Pumpkin Painting event filled with creative designs and lots of laughter. IFP coordinator Leah Bechtold noted it is a fun way for new international students and their hosts to get to know each other and develop new friendships.

Round tables of 7 dotted the room, large enough for meeting, not too large for getting lost in crowds. Among the first to arrive was Preetham Thiranova Karasu from India, far from home, but happy to be taking part.

At one table was host Tracy Raines with her cheerful Colombian cohort: Myriam Julieth Rangel, Manuela Maria Buitrago Cardenas along with Valeria Borja Dorado and Valeria Cardona Velasquez, same first name, different towns. They were getting to know host Emily Wagoner with her student Lilian Holguin also from Colombia.

At a nearby table Johana Vargas Gomez from Panama was chatting with Ivanna Yllahuman from Peru. Ivanna shares her thoughts further on in this issue. Johana is painting her pumpkin with an angry face saying she wants him to bite the other pumpkins. But Johana is laughing all the way simply getting some holiday spirit.

It’s not just the ladies who are participating. A visit to the table of hosts Sam and Sway Childs finds their cohort of gentlemen: William Xu from Singapore, Juan Jara from Colombia and Yash Jahagirdu from India whose commentary also appears in this issue. William has never painted a pumpkin before, but is having fun doing so his first time. Juan is being creative, making something funny with his pumpkin.

Snack time offered a sweet choice of cookies. Thirsts were quenched by bottles of water or seasonal hot apple cider. Not quenched were happy smiles, as students went home with painted pumpkins and new friends.