Arjun Manoj has never been a fan of staying in the same place for a long period, which led to his decision to travel across the world for college.
Manoj is a freshman studying computer network engineering. He’s originally from India but grew up in the Middle Eastern country Qatar.
After applying to numerous schools all over the world, he landed on the decision to come to the United States due to it being the best fit for him “culturally.” Manoj has had the chance to learn and try many new things, as well as make some lifelong friends.
According to Manoj, the best thing he has experienced as an international student are the friends he has made along the way.
He has felt an overwhelming amount of support from his friends here in the U.S., especially when he was missing home. Anytime he would feel homesick and would be missing his friends and family back in India, he would always lean on his new friends to comfort him.
“I love the friends that I have made here,” Manoj said. “They are just amazing. They helped make my move here so much easier because they have made me feel at home.”
Manoj spent both holiday breaks with his close Ferris friends. He has not been back to India since his move, which has been very difficult for him due to not being able to see his family and friends.
Television digital and media production freshman Marcus Ransom Jr. has enjoyed and cherished the friendship he has made with Manoj since starting school.
“The best thing about being friends with [Arjun] is that he’s always very understanding,” Ransom said. “I get to spend 24/7 with him and I’m so glad to call him a friend.”
Ransom explained that he has got to learn a lot from Manoj. Manoj has shared parts of his culture with him and has had him try authentic Indian food.
“It means a lot to me that I was able to bond with someone that is from a completely different culture and a different way of life,” Ransom said. “He has adapted well to this new environment. He will be able to go back to his country and be able to talk about the things he learned and saw with other people.”
He greatly misses his family and friends back home, but another big thing he misses from India is the food. He would describe most of the food in the U.S. as “bland,” but found out that he’s a big fan of chili.
Dental hygiene freshman Dominick Burkhart is another close friend of Manoj. He would explain Manoj as a very “open-minded person” and an “overall great friend.”
Burkhart has had many memorable experiences with Manoj, but his favorites have been the times when they would study together, helping each other out in any way needed.
“I am very glad that Arjun decided to come to school here,” Burkhart said. “I had never had a friend from another country, so it has been interesting to be friends with someone who is both very different yet similar to me.”
Many things in the U.S. were greatly different from those in India. Manoj explained how schooling in the U.S. is much less challenging than it was back home in India.
“Back home, I took a lot of advanced classes and even though I’m doing the advanced classes here too, it is just easier,” Manoj said. “There is less stress here for me, which is very good.”
Manoj had also never heard of the concept of younger people working and saving money, which is something he found interesting about the U.S.
“Ninety-nine percent of our parents pay for our tuition,” Manoj said. “Working at such a young age and saving money was a thing that I only found in the U.S. Which, in my opinion, is one of the best things, it kind of inspired me.”
Manoj is extremely glad he decided to come to the U.S. for school and very grateful for the opportunities and friendships he has made.