
Amine Zekhnini is a senior who is majoring in Bio-Medical
Engineering. He is from Morocco |
My
decision to choose UCO from among other schools was made shortly
after I began the process of applying to different U.S.
universities. The main reason for my decision was the attention I
received from the International Office staff from the beginning,
even as I sent an incomplete application. Their communication was
great. My questions sent by email were answered the very same day.
The day I arrived at UCO, I was excited, frightened, and anxious at
the same time. I did not know any friends or relatives nearby. The
next day, only the feeling of excitement persisted. “How do you like
it here?...If there is anything that I can help you with, please let
me know…here is my number…” I heard something like that from almost
everyone I met during my first semester. Students, faculty and staff
seemed to enjoy helping new students.
It took me less than one month to become fully active in two UCO
student organizations. The cultural, educational and entertainment
activities we have each semester make it impossible for us to get
bored. As students, our voice is heard and our suggestions are
considered in university decisions, even major ones.
The programs at UCO are fully accredited. Academic standards are
quit high, and the cost of education is very affordable. Most
professors use the problem-solving approach and are able to help
students to have a hands-on experience. Smaller classes and generous
office hours make the faculty very approachable. Free tutorial
sessions are offered for many courses.
Now that I am a senior, with a strong theoretical and practical
experience, I feel really confident in my abilities to confront new
challenges that await me in graduate school and in my professional
career. The friendly and laid back yet vibrant campus environment
makes UCO the best place to get some challenging and enjoyable
professional, academic and social experiences. As I am graduating
soon, I feel that coming to UCO was the best decision I ever made. |

Josephine Mangoli is a senior who is majoring in Human Resource
Management and Marketing. She is from Kenya |
My sister had been attending the
University of Central Oklahoma for over a
year. When she came home for summer break, she spoke highly of
the university. She told us that the University of Central Oklahoma
had one of the world’s most affordable and finest university systems
with an outstanding program for the graduate and undergraduate
level. She said the university was home to international students
from about 100 countries. My sister was very impressed by the
faculty and staff who were very helpful and caring. She loved the
excellent learning environment which involved a mixture of classroom
lectures, classroom discussions, self
directed study, one-on-one interaction with all the professors,
departmental tutors and research field trips in and out of state.
All the students were guided by faculty, academic advisors,
immigration counselors, staff and student mentors. The university
also had various academic resources and services.
After I graduated from high school, I applied to the University of
Central Oklahoma. I was very impressed with the quick response I got
for my admission process. When I arrived at the university, I was
even more amazed at the beautiful scenery and the level of diversity
in the school. The University of Central Oklahoma had various
resources and programs that helped me adapt to the new environment.
At the University of Central Oklahoma you can never get bored. There
are various campus events and activities that are very educational and
entertaining. The outstanding
wellness center has a well equipped gym and student health care
facility where many international students get medical attention
from doctors, pharmacist and nurses. The International Office in
conjunction with the International Student Council
holds cultural, service and awareness events like international
pageant, international food festival, international field trips,
international women’s day, international scholarship and graduation
reception and the well-known world cup soccer. I am passionate about
getting involved on campus because it gives me an opportunity to
meet people and explore various leadership opportunities. I have had
a great experience in this university serving as the International
Student Council President. I have made long time friends from all
over the world. I have been involved in leadership and service
oriented programs. My experience in the United States has made me be
more organized, open minded and dedicated to delivering outstanding
results. I would highly encourage you to attend this great
university. I will soon graduate with a double major in Human
Resource Management and Marketing. I am very confident that all the
skills and knowledge i have gained in this university will give me a
greater competitive advantage and help me land the job of my dreams.
I know that I will use the knowledge and leadership skills that I
have gained from the University of Central Oklahoma to make a
difference in the world. |

Marco Rodriquez Linares is a senior majoring in Business
Administration. He is from Venezuela |
There are hundreds of universities in the
United States that international students can choose in order to
pursue a bachelor's or master's degree outside of their home countries;
but there are so many reasons that make the University of Central
Oklahoma stand out from the rest of the colleges. As an
international student, I have been at UCO for four years and
sincerely believe that those years have greatly impacted my personal
and professional life.
Pursuing a business degree in an American college is fairly easy for
international students to achieve due to the enormous amount of
educational choices available in the U.S. But there are many
reasons supporting my decision to select UCO as my alma mater. When
I arrived on campus, I came only with my I-20, a student visa, and a
lot of uncertainty about my next four years. I learned, however,
that the staff, faculty, and students at UCO would ultimately help
me to overcome all of my initial fears. Now, along with my visa and
passport, I carry knowledge, character, the tools to become a better
service leader, and a significant amount of memories of this
unforgettable experience.
The University of Central Oklahoma is an affordable and reliable
institution for international students. The institution is not only
a great investment value in the cost for education and living
expenses, but it also affords students opportunities for employment,
and at decent salaries on campus, when these students may not
otherwise be eligible.
In the coming years I know that I will retain a great pride for the
University of Central Oklahoma because it is an institute where
international students have a voice. We are respected and accepted
in the community. Even though we are a minority on campus, we can
make changes and leave behind a legacy that allows others to benefit
from our culture.
UCO is a great institution with characteristics that make it unique.
UCO embraces diversity, commits itself to the development of
leadership and professionalism, and fosters an environment of
guidance and care for its students in the hopes of their becoming
better citizens, better students, better people. |