The International Students Office - Essay Example

Nikki Detwiler is responsible for assisting the International Students Association in its activities by coordinating transportation and booking venues. She is prepared to deal with anything that comes her way, as many international students require her expertise in applying for driver’s licenses, medical insurance, and travel documents.

Although Nikki does much nitty-gritty work of taking care of everyone, she enjoys the rewarding experience. As the secretary of ISO, international students gravitate to the office and often share their stories with her. She feels that one of the most rewarding aspects of the job is having the chance to learn about all these different countries and cultures. “There was an Irish student a couple of years ago. Perhaps it is the fact that he came from a remote part of Ireland, but his hometown only eats food that is readily available. When he came to Albright, he was astonished by how common ice cream is and explained that ice cream was more of an occasional luxury.” Nikki recalls, “I was really surprised since I never expected ice cream to be so special.”

Nikki said that her job allows her to connect with students on a more personal level since she helps with international students' affairs. As a secretary, she can simply be a friend who is willing to listen and share your problems. She believes that international students can thrive in the close-knit community of Albright. Although many international students feel uncomfortable in the new environment and try to stay within their ethnic circles, Nikki encourages students to open up to new cultures and be confident in their English. “As long as you can take the initiative to try to interact with local students, you will enjoy your four years of college at Albright. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as some of you might not come back to the United States afterward and none of you will go to college again.”

Many students, both international and local, will attest to her friendliness and willingness to help. Nikki has seen many students come and go, but each student leaves her with a special memory. She challenges us to always enjoy ourselves while staying out of trouble. Nikki is a loving and caring person with excellent interpersonal and social skills that allow her to interact effectively with students. For many international students, graduation means the end of our journey at Albright. However, we will carry our friendship and memories shared with Nikki wherever we go in the future. That is something I wouldn’t trade anything for.