This week CIE is excited to spotlight Maira from Lübeck, Germany. Maira spent a semester at Maryville College. We will all miss her tremendously when she returns to Germany in December! Read about Maira's experience in her own words:
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| Autumn at the International House |
I have been at Maryville College for one semester now, and I can definitely say that I have enjoyed every single minute of it. I wanted to study at a small university which provided personal attention and an individual atmosphere. I didn’t just want to be another number among others – which I feared would have been the case at my home institution. Moreover, I was looking for a College with a large international community which offered a variety of cultures to get to know. In addition to that I felt like it was important to go to a College which offered my major, Political Science, and a broad variety of other majors and minors. Moreover I looked at the activities, clubs, and organizations offered at MC.
To be honest, if I were to list all the things I like about Maryville College I would probably still be writing this article by tomorrow. To start perhaps I would start with the classes I am taking. All my classes have been extremely enjoyable and I loved each of them. My professors were very knowledgeable, incredibly enthusiastic, always motivated, and easily approachable when someone asked for help or assistance with the course work.
Moreover, I very much enjoyed the feeling of being part of the “MC family.” The community is like a big family which instantly made me feel comfortable and welcomed once I arrived. Seeing as I come from a foreign country and I was far away from home, this definitely helped me to adjust from being far away from home.
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| Homecoming Dance |
In addition to that, I love the different activities and events going on all throughout the semester at MC. There is always something going on and it for sure never gets boring. To only list a couple events that took place this semester: the Homecoming dance, the showing of “Bridesmaids” in the Clayton Center, MC sport games, or game nights hosted by the Residence Hall Organization (RHA). I went to several of the sports games; among them the football games, the soccer games, the volleyball tournaments, and the basketball championships.
One other thing that I love about Maryville College, are my friends. I am so incredibly happy I found so many good friends that share the same interests and with whom I get along so incredibly well. They definitely became an important part of my life and they make MC even better.
One other thing that I love about Maryville College, are my friends. I am so incredibly happy I found so many good friends that share the same interests and with whom I get along so incredibly well. They definitely became an important part of my life and they make MC even better.
I am involved in several on-campus activities at Maryville College. One of the organizations I am a part of is the Copeland A.C.T. (Activity Coordination’s Team). We organized several events throughout the past semester, among them we planned door decorations contests, we chalked the path leading to Copeland, our residence hall, and we organized game nights.
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| Jazz Band Performance |
Furthermore I am a part of Sisters in Spirit. The group meets every other week and we talk, discuss, and reflect on today’s women’s issues. I remember, sometime in October, we had an international women’s panel, where women from all around the world shared their experiences and perceptions. It was incredibly interesting and spending time with other girls, drinking hot chocolate or apple cider, and talking has made my evenings really fascinating and remarkable.
Besides that I am also part of MC’s Jazz Band. We meet twice a week and play jazz tunes. Among them, Watermelon Man, Summertime, Route 66, Equinox, and Maiden Voyage. Especially this past semester, I learned a great deal and my improvisation skills have become so much better. I haven’t enjoyed playing the saxophone that much in a while. The past semester, we had one gig and another concert. We all worked hard for it, but it was a lot of fun, and the group is great!
The organization that I am probably most involved in, however, is the Global Citizenship Organization (GCO). As the secretary, I am part of the leadership team, and we organize and plan different events. This past semester we hosted a Halloween party, an International Dance Party, and also took part in the Maryville College Homecoming Parade. Helping out to plan different events, going shopping, decorating, and organizing parties is a lot of fun and it was really exciting to be able to be a part of it.
Besides that I am also part of MC’s Jazz Band. We meet twice a week and play jazz tunes. Among them, Watermelon Man, Summertime, Route 66, Equinox, and Maiden Voyage. Especially this past semester, I learned a great deal and my improvisation skills have become so much better. I haven’t enjoyed playing the saxophone that much in a while. The past semester, we had one gig and another concert. We all worked hard for it, but it was a lot of fun, and the group is great!
The organization that I am probably most involved in, however, is the Global Citizenship Organization (GCO). As the secretary, I am part of the leadership team, and we organize and plan different events. This past semester we hosted a Halloween party, an International Dance Party, and also took part in the Maryville College Homecoming Parade. Helping out to plan different events, going shopping, decorating, and organizing parties is a lot of fun and it was really exciting to be able to be a part of it.
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| GCO International Dance Party |
Moreover, I participated in the Intramural Volleyball tournaments that took place at the very beginning of the semester. All throughout the semester there are numerous intramural activities hosted by the Student Involvement Office. It was so much fun, and the sand volleyball tournaments offered a great way to get to know new people.
In addition to that I participated in several of the activities hosted by the Center of International Education (CIE). With CIE we went Bowling, got to go to the Christmas Parade in Knoxville, went ice-skating, and also celebrated a Christmas party.
Being part of different campus activities really helps to get involved and moreover you learn to assume responsibility and adopt leadership abilities. MC offers so many ways to get involved, and to find something you are passionate about. Maryville College and its community truly offered me a home away from home.
Best of luck to Maira! If you are interested in learning more about Maryville College and opportunities to be an international student enrolled in college or ESL courses, please contact Brian Todd at brian.todd@maryvillecollege.edu.