Michael Leeburn, an international exchange student from Ireland, said his first semester at Simpson College has been enlightening and enjoyable.
When Leeburn arrived in Iowa, he found the campus culture unique and welcoming. He said there are unique differences between his home life in Ireland, including academic experiences, athletics and holidays.
One of the major differences Leeburn mentioned was the amount of effort the school and athletes invested in sports. He said in Ireland, the pace around sports is more casual.
“At first, I made fun of how seriously people take sports here, but now I think it’s really cool. It’s a fun thing to throw yourself into and a great way to meet people,” he said.
Leeburn’s experiences of college in Ireland and at Simpson differ from smaller class sizes to more inclusive teaching methods.
“Back home it was mostly lecture where you could sit in the back and play the New York Times Wordle for an hour and half,” he said. “Here, professors actually ask you about the readings and make you engage from week one.”
With steady engagement in class, he has changed how he approaches homework and assigned readings. Instead of cramming for tests at the last minute, he is now caught up with readings and feels more focused on the content.
Simpson’s small class sizes not only help Leeburn engage in course content, but also help him create relationships with his professors and fellow classmates. His social life at Simpson has grown out of classes, group projects and campus events. He said the kindness he encountered has helped him adapt to the challenges of being an international student.
“People here have been so welcoming,” he said. “That hospitality makes me want to offer the same to other international students.”
Such hospitality was even extended to him for his first Thanksgiving; he was invited to stay at his friend’s house over the break.
Prior to Simpson, Leeburn traveled through several European countries, including cities in Germany. His background in travel has made Leeburn more willing to try new things and keep an open mind.
“I went sledding for the first time in my life. It was so much fun,” he said.
While he’s enjoyed his time abroad, Leeburn said the temporality of his stay removes stress.
Leeburn’s semester at Simpson has been full of adaptation.. Throughout his next semester, he plans to travel to New York, continue to involve himself in new experiences and remain engaged in his classes.
