Although 17% of the Harvard Class of 2028 was raised on classic New England clam chowder and a spattering of coastal towns, a similar number of current first-years had a drastically different upbringing. For most students starting their college education, they must learn to navigate life without parents, siblings, or other conventional childhood support systems. However, the 18% international student population of the Class of 2028 inevitably face unique challenges as they move to a new country or even across the ocean. As the middle of their second semester approaches, the Independent spoke with three international Harvard first-years to ask about their unique experiences over the past few months on campus and in America.
Giulia Viacava ’28, a freshman from Monaco, referenced her worries from the beginning of the year: “Being an international student, I thought I was going to be left out…but actually, no.”
“I also thought that it would be difficult to make friends but I’ve been integrating really well, and I’m really glad for that,” she said. “Everyone is so friendly, even when you sit at Annenberg with people you don’t know, you become friends within 10 minutes and I really like that,” Viacava continued.
Apart from Viacava, all the other international students similarly noted how welcoming and receptive the Harvard community has been. Sasha Khalo ’28, a first-year from Ukraine, described how the social culture she was raised in contrasts with her new American college experience. “In Ukraine, if someone doesn’t like you, you will know,” Khalo said. “We don’t talk to people we don’t like. Here, it’s just a cultural thing, everyone is just friendly to everyone…that was such a cultural shock for me at first.”
John Sogutlu ’28, a first-year from Turkey, described a similar experience. “I really thought most of the people here were really going to be cutthroat or competitive,” he stated. “Every single person I’ve met here [has been] so sweet, so nice, so helpful, so supportive.”
Moreover, all three students expressed how impressive they felt their fellow students were. “Just eating lunch at Berg, I met three pilots, a published author, people who spoke in front of presidents. It’s just insane how talented all of [my] peers are,” Khalo remarked.
In addition to reflecting on unexpected experiences with their peers, the students noted the College’s academic differences compared to international secondary schools. “In Ukrainian high school, they never warn you about quizzes or anything,” Khalo said.
Beyond the general academic setup, specific courses and departments presented unique challenges. “Math 1a humbled me…you will never see me in a math class again,” Khalo added. Math is sometimes called the “universal language.” However, after hearing Khalo echo a sentiment many Harvard students seem to share, the subject seems to also be a universally challenging one.
Viacava had a different experience, noting how the Harvard math department and the faculty overall feels accessible to her when she needs help or guidance. “I was used to never talking to my professors out of class,” she said, alluding to her past experience with math classes in Monaco. “Here, I just send an email, and after 10 minutes, they answer me back.”
In between classes, many first-years spend a lot of time in their designated dining hall: Annenberg—affectionately dubbed “Berg.” Yet, however beautiful the stained glass windows of Berg may be, the offerings are sometimes less well-received. “Sometimes we have good days, sometimes we have bad days,” Khalo explained. But, regardless of her frequent disappointment with the dining hall, she did reveal some of her favorite aspects of the culinary options. “I love the panini station. I devour them every day.”
Viacava also shared dismay for Berg’s infamously inconvenient hours. “The dining hall hours start at 4:30 p.m. for dinner and it ends at 7:30 p.m. That was a bit weird.”
Beyond adjusting to new dining hall schedules, first-years are also exposed to an entirely new social scene. And while the Harvard culture is often foreign for all incoming students, international students might struggle even more with this unfamiliar territory.
The students did not seem to have high hopes for Harvard’s party scene: “I didn’t expect there to be a lot of social scene around campus,” Sogutlu explained. However, contrary to his initial thoughts, he was pleasantly surprised, referencing the excitement available in Boston and surrounding colleges. “You can go and do whatever you want on the weekend,” Sogutlu remarked.
Khalo was perhaps a little disappointed when she discovered the timing of Harvard’s parties. “I did expect the party life in college to go until at least 3 a.m. But when parties get shut down at 12 a.m., it’s kind of sad,” she said. Thankfully, she gave some tips for anyone looking to maximize their fun on campus from her perspective as an international student. “The HOLA and International parties are better, so Americans pull up.”
Ultimately, few newly graduated high school seniors really know what to expect as they thrust themselves into the vacuum that is American universities, teeming with unfamiliar faces. However, when this transition involves moving across borders and sometimes even oceans, it is undoubtedly more difficult. Nonetheless, these students are working to make the best of their first few months at Harvard and are optimistic about their future on campus. Moreover, they are eager to discover unique aspects of American culture that are unavailable in their home nations.
“I just love peanut butter, and I’m glad I got to discover it,” Viacava stated.
Antonia Salame ’28 (amsalame@college.harvard.edu) ate dinner at 5 p.m. yesterday.