Why UNK

Each year students from 50 countries make UNK their first choice in quality education. UNK offers an unforgettable education at a respected residential university in the USA at a cost that is less than larger institutions in other states, while providing the safety and hospitality of small town America.

What do our international alumni say about their experience at UNK?

"I graduated from University of Nebraska Kearney on May 6, 2016! I cannot express my appreciation with any words toward my family, friends, and professors who supported me in Kearney and from Japan. I'm looking forward to where my future takes me. At the same time, I'm sad to leave Kearney, Nebraska, my second hometown. Life in Kearney made me strong and provided me with wonderful experiences and memories. Thank you again everyone I met in Kearney. I know it's not the last time to say goodbye. We can meet again somewhere in the world. So I should say ”See you next time."” Rika Asai, Japan, Class of 2016

"I'm glad to tell you that I am soon to be an official petroleum engineer. Being a student of the UNK English Language Institute has been the best experience of my life. Thanks to all of you, people that I will never forget, I am the person that I am right now." Paula Alejandra Espinosa Franca, Colombia

"Life is certainly unpredictable. I never thought I would end up here but now I feel I am lucky enough to be one of those who got to enjoy the opportunities. UNK has been one of the most amazing experiences and a second home away from home. I made lots of friends and had an awesome time in these four years of life. Now I am heading back home for a better future. I am glad that I have memories that will never fade away. It is hard to put in to words, but I will definitely miss Kearney and all the beautiful people I met along this journey. Goodbye UNK and my friends. I hope to meet you all again." Sushma Thapa, Bhutan, Class of 2013

Kearney Hub - International Students Day: Meet some of UNK's students from around the world

Additional UNK International Student Profiles

Khalid Al-Rasbi, Oman

Major: Management Information Systems/Multimedia

How did you discover UNK?
It was the choice my embassy made after I applied for a scholarship from them.

What was your first impression of Kearney, and what surprised you the most?
There were lots of things I liked on campus, such as Learning Commons, where I can get help with understanding my homework and assignments, and help with preparing for tests. Another thing I enjoyed is Intramurals, as I can participate in my favorite sport, have time with my friends, and run away from school stress for a little while. Finally, I liked English Conversation Table, as I can meet new friends and share about my culture and experiences.

What is the difference between studying in your home country and studying here?
UNK is a good school, as you can get a good degree that includes hands-on experiences in that degree program. Studying here is a huge challenge for me because I have to stay very focused. Meanwhile, studying in my country is alright, but I can say that if I study there, I would not find any hard challenges like I do here. Those challenges make me stronger as I learn from them.

How have you shared your culture at UNK?
I have participated in the Omani Festival we have held on campus, as well as the International Food and Cultural Festival. I also had the opportunity to share my culture and religion in a UNK Multiculture class. Finally, I have shared my culture at English Conversation Tables, and with little children at their after-school programs.

What new things have you experienced here?
I have learned how to be more independent and depend more on myself. I have also learned that no matter what level my English language skill is, people here are always willing to help me understand how to say things correctly if I said them incorrectly.

What would you recommend new international students do to enjoy campus life and American culture?
First of all, if you have the chance to study abroad, go for it without hesitation, because you will have a lot of positive experiences. And keep in mind that the first couple of months will definitely be challenging, but be patient, it will be worth it! Finally, don't think what you see about the U.S. on tv and movies is real, because not everything in the media is right. That's what happened to me. I was actually surprised about the reality, compared to the impressions I got from media.

Victor Chen, China

Major: Business Administration Marketing Emphasis

How did you discover UNK?
One of my Chinese friends who is a junior at UNK now introduced this school to me before I came here. Thanks to him a lot!

What is the most important reason that you chose UNK?
Nebraska is the most friendly and safe state in the United States.

What was your first impression of Kearney and what surprised you the most?
Honestly, Kearney is a kind of small city and I thought I would have nothing to do. At first when I came here, I thought my college life would be ruined. However, it was totally wrong thinking! It is a small city but also one of the most amazing cities I have ever been to. People here are so friendly so that we can easily make good friends here! People will greet you and be nice to you even though you meet that person for the first time. Anyway, I like the people here, I just want to say thank you for those people who helped me a lot at first when I came here. Thank you Lopers!

What do you like the best about UNK?
Most students here like sports and UNK made a gym for sports like Football, wrestling, and volleyball. The atmosphere here is full of positive energy in our daily life which has a good effect on our studying as well.

How different is it to study in your country and study at UNK?
I came from China. The education system and ideas they teach in China are quite different from the USA. It’s hard to give a detailed explanation but I am sure that it is not only the Chinese students’ thought but also most of the Asians, like South Korean and Japanese students as well. So if you want to know what is different between China and USA, please come and ask me!

How have you been able to share your culture in UNK?
I am a person who loves to communicate with different people, and the topic of culture can always be one of the best topics to share with local people, because we are foreigners to Americans and they are interested in international students’ culture!

What new things have you experienced living here?
It was some activities that I joined such as the Chinese Festival and International Food and Cultural Festival. I can interact with many people and also teach them about China.

What would you recommend new international students do to enjoy life and American culture while here?
The first and the most important point that I would like to share with new international students is you need to try to TALK more with your American friends! I understand that this is quite difficult for international students because they feel like their language skills are too poor to talk smoothly with Americans. However, if you never try to talk with them, your language skills will grow slowly. When you feel your English skills get better, you will be proud of yourself and can enjoy your life at the same time! GOOD LUCK!!

Yui Hayashi, Japan

Major: Athletic Training

How did you discover UNK?
I went to a private school in Japan and wanted to study abroad. The private school was affiliated with UNK.

What is the most important reason that you chose UNK?
There were two main reasons. First, UNK has the Athletic Training Program which is what I wanted to learn. Also, the tuition was cheapest.

What was your first impression of Kearney and what surprised you the most?
My first impression of Kearney is large. My hometown is a big city, so there are so many tall buildings. But, there aren't high buildings in Kearney, so I can see a far away and see the sky. The most surprising thing was the stars were very beautiful, as if I was in the planetarium.

What do you like the best about UNK?
People at UNK are so kind to everybody.

How different is it to study in your country and study at UNK?
The type of content is different. In my country, the primary reason for study is to increase knowledge. At UNK, especially in my major, the class content is hands-on, and the reason for study is to experience and to get skills.

How have you been able to share your culture at UNK?
I joined the international organizations and cooked international food and introduced Japanese culture at festivals.

What new things have you experienced living here?
It is my first time to live with others and also it is my first time to live with a foreigner. And it is my first time to be separated from my family.

What would you recommend new international students do to enjoy life and American culture while here?
I recommend joining intramural sports. They can play a lot of sports in one season even though they have never played it before. It will make a lot of fun and also friends.

Nolline Omollo, Kenya

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Nolline and her twin sister arrived in Kearney in August of 2012. She is a graduate student majoring in clinical mental health counseling.

How did you discover UNK? I learned about UNK from my aunt who was a former student of this institution. I was also impressed by its rank academically in the Midwest.

What was your first impression when you arrived in Kearney? The first impression I had about Kearney is that it is a small populated City and an agricultural center due to the huge fields of corn I saw on the way to campus.

What surprised you the most about Kearney? What surprised me the most was the Calvin T. Ryan Library on campus. I found it then and still do to be very resourceful with very approachable staff.

What do you like the best about UNK? I love several things about UNK. The people here are very welcoming and they make you feel at home away from home. The professors are very approachable and the professor to students ratio is very commendable. The teaching and delivery of professors is superior. I like the fact that UNK gives international students an opportunity to share their unique cultures with the Kearney community through events like the International Food Festival.

How do you plan to leave your mark on UNK? The mark I would love to leave behind after my four years of study is to graduate with Honors, to be celebrated and to be missed. This is what motivates me to work really hard and push myself towards achieving this goal.

What would you recommend new international student do to enjoy life and American culture while here? I would recommend new international students joining UNK to be flexible to change, work hard, and have good grades to avoid a stressful academic life. Meet new people and join student organizations within campus.

The following UNK international alumni have agreed to have you contact them via email if you would like to visit with them directly about their experience at UNK:

Kohei Kawai, Japan, kawaik2.1003@gmail.com - UNK, surrounded by a very supportive community, doesn't know how to disappoint it's students."

Achala Sharma, Nepal, achalasharma@live.com - "I am so much in love with UNK that if I could, I would come back to have the same experience again. I would prefer it over any top university in the nation for undergraduate studies."

Ryan Bastian, Bahamas, ryanobastian@gmail.com - "UNK is awesome! You have to experience it to truly appreciate it!"

A Sanam Bhaila, Nepal, bhaila.sanam@gmail.com - "One of the reasons I hardly missed home, despite being so far away, was because I was "at home" at UNK."

Joosik Kim, South Korea, joosik0515@hotmail.com - "UNK is the most precious experience in my life and forever!"

Burty Macwan, India, burtymacwan@yahoo.co.in - "UNK: where cultures converge!"

Mizuki Takahashi, Japan hanamizuki-t.1018@hotmail.co.jp - "I really miss the time I spent at UNK because it is my second home."

Dr. Joao Mazullo, Brazil, mazullo@msn.com - "I studied English Language at UNK. I feel honored to answer questions about UNK now."

Daisuke Sekine, Japan, sekined1@alumni.unk.edu - "UNK has been my home in the United States for years, and it will be for good."