Faythe Fowler
Chinook Writer
Anna Csenyi, a sophomore at Casper College, drives past an opponent at a recent game. Csenyi spoke with the Chinook about her foreign exchange experience in Casper. She is from Szolnok Hungary.
Foreign students adjusting to the American lifestyle from their home country is challenging, yet easier than expected. Many foreign students are specifically recruited here for the athletics programs. Anna Csenyi, a Casper College sophomore, moved from Szolnok, Hungary to play basketball for the college.
She said she wanted to try a new lifestyle, and the United States is the best place for her to improve her basketball skills and her education. One of the hardest challenges Csenyi faced transitioning to life in America was the differences in how basketball is played. She said that basketball at an American collegiate level is much faster and more intense than what she is used to back at home.
Although it is a big culture change living in America, Csenyi said she came prepared for the fast-paced, busy lifestyle Americans live.
“As [for] American culture, it didn’t really affect me that much, I was expecting this already,” said Csenyi.
Learning about American culture in school and personal experiences and relationships with people living in the States made her transition easier.
Teodora Popovic, a CC freshman from Bosnia, also transitioned easily from her home country. Popovic stated that her older brother also attends college in the states playing lacrosse in Wisconsin, and his stories and experiences prepared her for life when she moved to the States as well. She said that the education in America is more appreciated than in other countries, so her main focus is to get her degree.
Aside from her education, CC recruited Popovic to CC to play volleyball. A major challenge she said she faces is the language barrier and the fact that she is still learning to be fluent in English. Popovic said she is thankful her roommate is from her same country, and they speak in their first language together often.
“She helped me a lot with everything that I didn’t know when I first came; she showed me the campus, she showed me where the classes are,” said Popovic, grateful for her sophomore roommate to show her the ropes.
Both Popovic and Csenyi appreciate how the American education system works so closely with athletes to adjust to their sports schedules and ensure that school and earning a degree are still the main focus during their short time at CC.
