Martin Duran
Asuncion, Paraguay
Economics, minor in statistics
Adapting to the US is easy, thanks to K-State’s student resources. K-State offers study abroad programs, Powercat Financial services and internship opportunities. All important tools for me to achieve my goals.
How he chose K-State:
When I had to take my decision, I didn’t know much about college research or college programs research since, as an international student, we don’t have that type of college selection culture. However, I spoke with friends in different universities about the opportunities I can find in each university that was in my watch list. I ended up choosing K-State because the friend that I talked with that studied at K-State demonstrated very high commitment, he was the only one who understood the reason I wanted to study in the US and the one who tried the hardest to take the most out of K-State. In conclusion, you can say that I chose K-State because I felt that in here, I would have someone that would be able to guide me in this complete new academic world.
Transitioning to Manhattan, KS:
When you come to the US you know what you are going to deal with, long study hour, los quality food intake, and few hours of sleep every night. However, if you hold those factors constant and the distance between you and your family, you realize that adapting to the US is way easier than what you may expect, and most of it is thanks to K-State student culture and its resources for the students, and the Manhattan people in general. People here is way nicer than any international student may expect at first, with great values and a big smile.
How K-State helps him reach his goals:
The main difference between K-State and colleges in my country are probably not academical, but the amount of opportunities inside and outside the classroom. Study abroad programs, students from different parts of the world sharing their culture and thoughts, Powercat Financial services, better internship opportunities, better education in general that will help you go to a better grad school. K-State is definitely a super important tool for me in order to achieve my goals.
Advice for new Wildcats:
College structure here can be extremely different than the one in your home country, don’t be afraid of asking question and make sure you find someone with the same or similar goals than the ones you have, that can guide you or show you the different paths to achieve your goals. Take advantage of all the opportunities you can take and challenge yourself, you have no idea how much you can achieve until you achieve it. You may hear a few negative answers now and then, that’s part of the journey, how you respond to those negative answer is, at the end, what will redefine you.