“Coming to ISU really opened my mind to how different the world is. Coming from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil I knew what ethnic diversity was, and I thought cultural too, but upon arriving to ISU I found out I didn’t [know].

Seeing how people from different continents approached [their] daily lives was life-changing for me. The education, and opportunities I have here are also unmatched.

A misconception I had upon arriving was how people can be. Americans are way less warm than what I expected. I had been to the US before, but my experience was completely different than the one I was faced with [at Iowa State].

The greatest challenge I have experienced for the school year has been getting an internship; there’s this misconception that companies think they need to sponsor international students, which is not entirely true.

As a result, [companies] won’t even give opportunities to international students.

The most rewarding experience of the school year was going to nationals as part of the soccer club. It was a fun experience, probably my highlight of the year. The experience reminded me of my student-athlete days.

My college experience has made me more mature in the sense of being financially independent. I don’t believe my personality has not changed much, I try to look at everything positively and stay true to my roots.

I am looking forward to kick-starting my professional career. I have learned a lot during this school year, and I can’t wait to be able to apply all this knowledge.

However, if there was one thing I would like to change about the school year I would make winter feel like fall, because this Iowa weather is too cold for me.”

           –Words by Victor Picsen-Perez, junior in aerospace engineering