Biology major
Undergraduate Day
Making the decision to attend college an ocean away from home was difficult for Rumbidzayi Nzara ’09. Choosing St. Kate’s was not. “St. Kate’s was definitely the most welcoming,” says Nzara, who notes that she had a lot of choices in Minnesota. “They really seemed to be expecting me and anticipating my arrival.”
Initially, being an international student was a bit scary for Nzara, but the Multicultural and International Programs and Services (MIPS) office helped smooth her transition. They got in touch with her before she even arrived on campus and also paired her with a host family in St. Paul.
Nzara chose to live on campus, a decision she says helped her interact with other students and get to know them. She now advocates that becoming involved in campus life is the best way for international students to meet people and become a member of the St. Kate’s community. Nzara leads Women Helping Women, a volunteer organization that works in women’s shelters. She also actively participates in Campus Ministry, often greeting parishioners at mass.
An Antonian Scholar, Nzara says the biggest cultural difference she encountered at St. Kate’s was the relaxed and open classroom environment, in which professors seek interaction with their students. “St. Kate’s is comfortable,” she says. “You don’t have to be who you’re not — you’re free to be who you are.”