U. community discusses international student experiences at Rutgers—Newark

More than 1,200 students attended Rutgers Global's International Student Orientation at the start of the Fall 2024 semester, the largest international class the University has seen, according to a press release.

Sravya Kanagala, a graduate student at the Rutgers Business School, left her homeland, Kuwait, to attend Rutgers because she said she wanted to experience a new environment and independence. 

"The Gulf is very luxurious, which in hindsight sounds great ... But I feel like when you're in your younger years, that's not the kind of place you want to be in," Kanagala said. "You want to be in a place that's hustling, where you're grinding and giving your all."

She's 1 of approximately 800 international students on the Newark campus this semester, said Director of the Office for International Student and Scholar Services (OISS) Yaruby Petit-Frere.

While Kanagala comes from a comfortable position in life, she said she wanted to succeed on her own. At home in Kuwait, she said that, while her family was supportive, some of the other people around her did not always encourage her to pursue a career. 

"For me, it's been such an enriching experience because when I came, I wouldn't say I was such a different person, but I had such limiting beliefs," said Kanagala. "Where I came from, people don't really encourage your dreams, especially if you have a lot." 

Kanagala, who is Indian and attended institutions in Kuwait and Dubai, decided to come to the U.S. for her master's degree in information technology and analytics.

After living among a very diverse community in Kuwait, Kanagala sought a similar environment in the U.S. and picked Rutgers—Newark because of its diversity on campus. The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings list placed Rutgers—Newark as the second most diverse in the nation. 

"Every kind of person is here. One thing I like is that people from any background and all backgrounds are here," said Kanagala. "They come together to create such a great environment … It's really important to have that." 

At Rutgers—Newark, OISS provides all international students like Kanagala with guidance on visa regulations and helps them make a smooth transition from home, with the goal of getting them a U.S. education.

"Every year at orientation I ask, 'Why did they choose Rutgers?' … Of course for international students, it tends to be the academic reputation. You want a return on your investment, making sure there's a great program fit for you," said Petit-Frere. "They also enjoy the diversity of the school, the opportunities, the location, how close it is to New York City, especially for jobs." 

Petit-Frere, who was once an international student from Panama herself, is closely connected to the challenges that these students may face. She said that it is a privilege to study in the U.S., and she wants these students to succeed and be able to develop the skills they need to fulfill their aspirations. 

In addition to the OISS, Kanagala said the professors provide international students with guidance, especially when it comes to students seeking career options after graduation. Through career fairs and meetings for research, professors give students flexibility with attendance. 

"Once our university period is over, we essentially have 90 days to find a job. If we don't find it within that period, we have to go back to wherever we came from. I feel like the teachers are really understanding of that," said Kanagala. 

Aiming to graduate this winter, Kanagala encourages new and incoming international students to be open to trying new things like participating in on-campus events or talking to people outside of their inner circle, even if those experiences seem intimidating. 

"They need to make the most of their time here. Just be open, be open to everything," said Kanagala.