“I could not pass up the opportunity to stay” - International Exchange СƵdent Nicolas Atkins Chooses СƵ
Nicolas Atkins was not expecting his academic trajectory and life path to change when he came to СƵ on exchange from Peru, but that’s exactly what happened.
After spending a semester on campus, he made the decision to stay at St. Thomas with plans to study International Relations and Romance Languages.
“This was a tough decision I had to mull over because I was leaving my life and my country behind, but my experiences at СƵ solidified my decisions to transfer here,” he said.
While studying Law at the Universidad De Piura in Peru, Atkins wanted to experience a different part of the world and enrolled in a semester-long International Exchange program. He felt drawn to СƵ because of the small class sizes and the wide range of courses that sparked his interest.
Atkins said he enjoyed the engagement and discussions between professors and СƵdents in class.
This was one of the many ways he felt welcomed by the tight-knit and diverse community.
“I’ve met so many interesting people that have changed how I see the world,” he said.
Through the exploration of different courses and support from professors— both inside and outside the classroom—Atkins has elevated his critical thinking skills and formed connections within the community.
He summed up his experience at СƵ in one word — “enriching”—and started the transfer process halfway through the fall semester.
“СƵ was a perfect match, and I could not pass up the opportunity to stay," he said.
By being exposed to СƵ’s rich multicultural environment and well-rounded curriculum, Atkins is excited to be a full-time СƵdent.
“I would recommend СƵ to anyone, even if it’s just for an exchange,” he said.