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| hope college > admissions > international students |
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What Students Say Thapelo Matenge  "What
struck me about Hope were the greetings. People I didn't even know were
saying 'hi.' I think that is really important, especially for strangers," said
Thapelo Matenge. Based on his experience, Thapelo feels that the college's warmth and friendly atmosphere are extremely important in helping new students adjust. "It really makes one's life much easier," he said. Thapelo is an international student form Botswana, and in one of approximately six students from Africa on campus. He hopes there will be even more in the future, because he feels that there is a lot to learn at Hope - and not only from the classes. "Back home, the impression you get of America is a drug-infested, very hostile environment," Thapelo explained. "After actually coming here and experiencing it first-hand for myself, my whole view about America has done a 360. There are may be a lot of bad areas but there are a lot of goods." The cultural experience, however, was only one of the many reasons he chose to study in the United States. Academics were important, too. "I figured that a degree from Hope there would be a much better chance of getting a job back home. And I got to finish high school two years earlier," he said. Thapelo looked into studying at larger universities, but found the atmosphere to be less personable and inviting. "It was a completely different reception than the one I received at Hope," he said. Eventually, he would like to return home, but he hopes to extend his time in the United States to include attending graduate school in architecture. Toward that end, he is currently taking many technical art classes, such as interior design. "I had a very shallow art background, which is one of the reasons I came to Hope, rather than going right into architectural school," he said. Thapelo feels that Hope will prepare him well for graduate school, and that there's plenty of potential for his liberal arts degree. "There are some graduate schools that offer architecture programs for people right out of liberals arts education," he said. And Thapelo enjotying the opportunities Hope provides to sample different disciplines. "I believe if I came into liberal arts program In would be able to try my hand in various areas," he said. "I may find that I like something else better. I really enoyed myn psychology class last semester, so I thought I would rather take more psychology." He has also had chances to get involved in non-academic activities. For example, he participates in cross country and tennis at Hope - both of which he finds good breaks from the books. "I'm an avid tennis player," he said. "I played for the national team back home. It's a big part of my life." Thapelo noted, "There's a lot of advantages to a liberal arts education, especially if you're not really sure what you want to do." |
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