Global Voices: Exchange Students at Wilson
Jake Navarro | November 6, 2024
Studying abroad
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to study abroad? What would worry you the most? What would you look forward to the most? Above all, where would you go? Ever since I was young, the idea of studying in a different country—maybe even on a different continent—has always fascinated me. I used to imagine what that experience might look like. Now, living it, I am beginning to understand the complexities of studying abroad on a much deeper level, and why it remains such an interesting phenomenon.
Finding myself at Warren Wilson College (WWC) has meant facing a whirlwind of new experiences. From navigating small, discussion-driven classes to carving out my place in a close-knit community, tucked away in the mountains. But I am not the only one on this journey. I often wonder if my experiences align with others, or differ entirely. What do other exchange students think about studying abroad? About studying here at WWC.
I decided to find out by sitting down with three fellow exchange students — Kyle Cassar Cardona from Malta, Mario Martinez from Spain and Nassime Ghatrif from France—who, like me, traded the familiar comforts of home for the excitement (and occasional confusion) of life at WWC. Here is a glimpse into what it is like to dive headfirst into a new environment, as told by those of us living it.
First things first: why the U.S.?
Traveling from Europe to America is no small feat. It is a long journey — an expensive one too. So, why come to the U.S.? For Martinez, the exposure to American culture, mostly through media back home, fueled his curiosity to actually live the “American Life,” at least for a while. Similarly, Cassar Cardona also chose the U.S. for its distinctive cultural and educational opportunities, something he felt could not be found anywhere else.
“There is just something about America which seems to draw people towards it, ” Cassar Cardona said.
Ghatrif’s reason for coming all the way to the U.S. was more closely tied to his career aspirations. As a student of foreign languages and communications, he saw the U.S. as the ideal place to perfect his English, whilst also continuing his studies in Spanish.
How long is your exchange program?
Ghatrif, Cassar Cardona and Martinez are all here for a semester. Their exchange program wraps up in December. However, Martinez is already working on getting his stay extended and trying to get an internship with WWC.
“I'm only supposed to be here until December, but I'm already working on expanding to stay for one year,” Martinez said “I think studying in the middle of the mountains and the Warren Wilson lifestyle is quite good for my mental health. I am enjoying it a lot here, there's just something special about having a university that looks like a summer camp.”
What classes are you taking & what do you think about them?
Cassar Cardona, who reads law back home, chose to explore classes in animal rights, a global history of capitalism and ethics. Martinez, on the other hand, is studying philosophy, business, a global history of capitalism, climate change and management. Ghatrif’s courses include communication, oral and written communication and Spanish.
As I have written elsewhere, one striking difference between the U.S. classroom experience and our home countries back in Europe is the small class sizes. WWC’s intimate class sizes are a feature that attracts students and is deeply appreciated for fostering meaningful engagement. Cassar Cardona, Ghatrif and Martinez all really like this part of WWC. Ghatrif also likes the structured classes. When asked whether any of us would change our classes, we all agreed we would not. That must say something, mustn’t it?
“I’m glad that I made these choices, I would say that some classes are more difficult than others, but it’s challenging and I like the challenge,” Ghatrif said.
What about the cultural and social adjustments you were faced with?
As I have mentioned elsewhere, the culture in America can feel worlds apart from Europe. The culture shock is real, but it is a two-way street. Some aspects are pleasant surprises, whilst others pose considerable challenges.
Cassar Cardona and Martinez both agreed on how cordial people are here, and how helpful that is when integrating in a new culture. As Cassar Cardona puts it, “Back home, we are more of a number rather than an individual.”
Ghatrif also values the inclusivity of people at WWC, which is not something always present back home.
“What surprised me is how I can make friends here, and how I’m included,” Ghatrif said.
I would say that these are all core values that align closely with WWC’s mission statement.
On the flip side, as Martinez notes, America is quite expensive, with a higher cost of living. This is also reflected in Asheville and North Carolina in general. Social life also takes on a different shape here. Cassar Cardona points out that people seem to have a different kind of “fun” here.
“Something which is completely different than back home is what people do in their free time, and what they consider fun,” Cassar Cardona said.
Another common thread of thought is the way classes are assessed here at WWC. We all agree that WWC’s continuous assessment system can be challenging to adjust to. More specifically, the heavy emphasis on reading before every class is something that took us all by surprise.
"In France, we don’t have the same workload,” Ghatrif said. “We just have exams at the end of the semester, and that’s it. No homework or weekly tasks like here. The amount of reading and preparation before class has definitely been an adjustment."
Despite the challenges, Cassar Cardona, Martinez and Ghatrif all feel they have begun to integrate into this new culture — one they will call home for a few more weeks and they are all looking forward to making the most of the time ahead.
Long-term goals and future plans
An exchange experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, in every sense. It is an opportunity for fun, personal growth, building connections and learning — not just in the classroom — but also about yourself and the world around you.
Cassar Cardona plans to bring the diverse perspectives he has gained at Warren Wilson into his future law career back in Malta. He hopes to make lasting friendships and grow both personally and professionally during his time at WWC.
"I'd like to go back to Malta with a baggage full of different ideas, different perspectives, and more knowledge, knowledge that I wouldn't have acquired from Malta or any other place in Europe," Cassar Cardona said.
He hopes the friendships and experiences he is making here will last well beyond his time in the U.S..
Martinez, a go-getter, aims to stay as busy as possible, by participating in extracurricular activities like cross-country and student government, whilst also pursuing an internship to strengthen his resume. For Ghatrif, his primary goal is language proficiency. He is eager to return to France with stronger English skills that will bolster his future career in communication.
If you could change one thing about WWC, what would it be?
When asked if there was anything they would change about WWC, Martinez’s response was succinct and clear: nothing. For him, the campus and its lifestyle offer just the perfect balance.
Ghatrif and Cassar Cardona were then convergent on what they would change, offering practical suggestions. While they share Martinez’s appreciation for the atmosphere, they noted the difficulty in accessibility and connectivity, particularly in downtown Asheville. Both explained that the limited transport options make it difficult to venture into the city, a vibrant cultural hub of music and bars. Having easier access would allow students to explore more of Asheville’s rich artistic scene, connect with the local community and enjoy their time off campus more freely.
What advice would you give to future exchange students?
When asked what advice they would give to future exchange students wishing to come to WWC, Ghatrif, ever the pragmatist, had this to say: “Try and keep important documents safe — especially your passport.”
Cassar Cardona’s advice is to embrace the differences in academic and social life that WWC, and the U.S. in general, can offer.
Martinez took a philosophical approach. “Have low expectations and any good thing that comes your way, take it,” Martinez said. “Take advantage of your time. Move and stay active. Don’t just stay in your room all day. Don't just hang out with the same three people all day. Get outside of your comfort zone, because if you don't do it now, you may not have the possibility to do it again.”