From Across the Globe to BU: International Students Share Their Stories

Men’s golfers Jacob Mitchell (left) and Eetu Kilpinen (third from left) are some of the many international students at BU.

Photo courtesy of BU Athletic Communications

At Bluefield University, the campus may feel small, but the journeys that lead students here are anything but. For international students, arriving in Bluefield means crossing not only state lines, but also oceans, time zones, and cultures. From navigating visa paperwork and long flights to adjusting to Appalachian winters and Southern hospitality, these students bring with them resilience shaped by distance and determination.

Though they now share classrooms, teams, and campus traditions, their paths to BU are uniquely their own. Several international students shared the challenges they’ve faced and the dreams that carried them to Bluefield in the first place.

Athletics have played a significant role in how many students found their way to BU. Women’s volleyball players Liangelys Santana and Camille Gonzalez first heard about the university through their sport and recruiters. Gonzalez, a native of Ponce, Puerto Rico, said it was during her campus visit that she fell in love with Appalachia.

“I really loved the nature surrounding Bluefield, but the most important part was that I met other Puerto Ricans who were athletes as well. I was lucky enough to talk and connect with them,” Gonzalez said.

Men’s golfer Jacob Mitchell, who is from England, said Bluefield’s small campus made it feel more like a family than a university. He also noticed how close-knit the men’s golf team was and could see himself becoming part of that bond.

Although these students have enjoyed their time in the United States and at BU, there have been differences and challenges along the way. Fellow Puerto Rican, Santana, shared that adjusting to the weather has been difficult.

“I’ve been at BU for four years, and I still struggle with the cold weather,” she said. “Being far from my family has been the biggest challenge because I grew up very close to them.”

Despite the distance from home, each student emphasized that people in Bluefield have made the transition easier.

“The friendships I have made throughout my years here have been my favorite part,” Gonzalez said. “Sometimes managing school and sports can be hard, but I am grateful that I have my own support system here, which makes it a bit easier to manage.”

Mitchell echoed that sentiment.

“My favorite part of Bluefield is my team. We are so close that we are like brothers, which is something so special to me because we will do anything for each other,” he said.

For these students, Bluefield may have started as a place on a map far from home, but it has become something more — a community. Their stories are reminders that while the university may be small, its impact stretches far beyond its campus, shaped by students whose journeys span the globe and whose experiences continue to enrich the BU community every day.