At Kirkwood Community College, three students are learning that education abroad is about more than just lectures and textbooks. It is about safety, opportunity and finding a second home.
Melorisa Neteneong Mori, a pre-medical student from the Federated States of Micronesia, said she never imagined how much her life would change after enrolling at Kirkwood.
“My aunt in Iowa City recommended Kirkwood to me,” she recalled with a smile.
“I thought I was only coming here to study medicine and return home to serve my people. But now I’m not so sure. I’m enjoying my time here so much that I may just stay and work in the U.S. after school.”
For Mori, America represents opportunities she never had in her home country. Beyond the academics, she has embraced the cultural diversity on campus.
“I love that men and women are treated equally here. Back home, that wasn’t always the case,” she said.
Still, she hopes her professors will make lessons more practical and student-centered.
“Sometimes, I wish they’d call students to the board to explain things. That way, we’d be more active in class,” she added.
Like many students, paying tuition remains a challenge. Mori believes more scholarships should be made available to help students like her focus on their studies without financial worries.
Despite the hurdles, she has found joy in building friendships, especially with some African students, and even sampling Iowa’s local cuisine, all while holding on to her own cultural roots.
For John Mawawa, a nursing student from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kirkwood has been nothing short of a welcoming haven.
“The first thing I noticed was how safe the campus feels,” he said. “My professors and classmates have been very supportive.”
Adjusting to American culture, however, was not easy at first. “Back home, people are more open, but here, everyone seems to mind their own business. It was difficult for me to approach people. But now, I’ve adjusted, and I’m really enjoying my studies,” said Mawawa.
Another Congolese student, Joel Wonya, is majoring in Industrial Maintenance. Wonya’s biggest hurdle has been language. He grew up in a French-speaking country and is now taking English lessons alongside his regular classes.
Even so, he says his professors’ support has made the journey smoother. “The city is safe, the people are welcoming, and I feel encouraged to keep going,” Wonya said.
Though their backgrounds and dreams are different, all three share a common theme in their stories: safety, support and opportunity.
Whether it is the hospitality of professors, the friendships made across cultures or the simple relief of walking freely without fear, Kirkwood has given them a sense of belonging.
For these students, Kirkwood is more than a college. It is a community. A place where dreams of becoming a doctor, a nurse or an industrial professional no longer feel distant but possible.
Categories: Feature
