Imagine that you are studying thousands of miles away from home. For many students, being away from family for months at a time can be difficult, but for most, it is an experience worth a lifetime.
Florida Institute of Technology is home to a total of 4,669 students. About 30% of these students are international, spread across 110 countries, according to Florida Tech’s Institutional Research and Planning. As the semester comes to a close, three international students reflect on the fall 2023 semester, whether it will be their first or their last.
Chetan Krishna
For 20-year-old Chetan Krishna, his first semester at Florida Tech ends when he travels 9,106 miles back to Vijayawada, India, just in time for Christmas break. Krishna’s first experience away from home is not entirely smooth, as he slowly adapts to American culture, frequently visiting Indian restaurants to get a taste of home, and learning to live away from his family for the first time.
Chetan Krishna outside Florida Tech’s Skurla Hall
“Not only did I get to know American culture, but I also got to know people from all over the world. So it’s fun to learn about new cultures and teach others about my culture. It’s good,” Krishna said.
Since arriving in the United States, Krishna has had to adjust to handing in homework at Florida Tech because it is not a priority for schools in India. “Internet usage here is crazy,” the aerospace engineer said. In India, we don’t have computers, we only have books.
With his sights set on graduating in 2027, Krishna plans to use his aerospace engineering degree to open his own business or work as a design analyst for companies, such as SpaceX.
“The reason I came here is to meet new people and see how the world works so I can design what the world wants. If I can do that, then I’m happy,” Krishna said.
Mariver Sagastum
Mariver Sagastom, a native of Panama, has spent the past ten years living, studying and working here in Melbourne. Throughout her career at Florida Tech, Sagastome has successfully earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, a master’s degree in MBA, and currently holds a Ph.D. In human center design.
Marivier Sagastum in CAMID.
The Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Design, also known as CAMID, is a Florida technology facility that allows companies to express their ideas and projects and receive assistance in a variety of different technologies.
Since 2022, Sagastume has been working full-time at CAMID.
“We also have partners that our members can access, like Larson Motorsports,” Sagastum said.
CAMID is a progressive K-12 outreach with elementary, middle, high school, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts, all of whom are learning advanced manufacturing and programming topics. CAMID is very practical on welding, robotics, LED welding, holographic design, digital design and more STEM ideas.
“Who knows, later on, they might come back to Florida Tech or start working in one of these fields. But at least they’re exposed to it,” Sagastom said.
Dimitris Karadimitros
Dimitris Karadimitros had a dream as a young child of traveling the world. What better way to achieve this, than to become a pilot? The 22-year-old, from Volos, Greece, arrived at Florida Tech in 2019 and has already graduated with a bachelor’s degree in aviation management with a minor in aviation safety. Now, with his future in the aviation industry decided, Karadimitros will be able to fulfill his dream of traveling anywhere in the world.
Karadimitros in front of the twin-engined Piper Seminole
Karadimitros initially arrived on a sports scholarship, which ended abruptly when the rowing team was canceled in 2022, but he now continues to pursue a master’s degree in aviation human factors where he must accumulate a total of 1,000 flight hours to join the airlines.
“The aviation community is a very good community, and we understand its risks. So, we are always trying to make it better,” Karadimitros said.
Karadimitros plans to pursue multiple degrees in hopes of expanding his job options if some medical issues arise and flying is no longer an option. For now, Karadimitros is off to a good start and is on his way to working for companies like American Airlines.
“Aviation will always need pilots. Florida Tech has the advantage of having a degree and flying at a good school,” Karadimitris said.
Despite being thousands of miles away from home, and part of 1,392 international students on campus, Karadimitros, Sagastom and Krishna have made a life of their own here at Florida Tech.
College in the US often gets a bad rap, with stories of high tuition costs, overwhelming workloads, and intense competition. However, in reality, college can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Campus life in the US offers a wide range of opportunities for personal and academic growth, as well as the chance to form lifelong friendships and connections. Whether it’s joining clubs and organizations, attending sporting events, or exploring the surrounding area, there’s always something exciting happening on campus. With the right mindset and approach, college in the US isn’t so bad after all!