Moving your life from one country to another is a challenge. It is something that requires significant planning, paperwork, and emotional strength. That is why Allen Long, after moving to the US got a job helping international students fulfill their goal of studying in the US.

Mr. Long is an International Admission Officer at Drury University in Springfield Missouri. His role involves familiarizing international applicants with Drury University and helping them navigate the admission process, scholarship application, and more.

Having lived in China for most of his life before moving to the US three years ago Mr. Long’s familiarity and understanding of what is required to immigrate is invaluable in helping international students transition to life in the United States. 

Allen Long (Photo courtesy of Drury University)

Q: Working in the international department at Drury, how do you find international students transition to life in the US?  
A: The learning and teaching style are quite different from their home and how people socialize in the US is also very different to what they are familiar with. My hope is that international students regardless of where they are from get comfortable and used to the American way of life. This, however, is not always the case. We all have our comfort zones and especially for non-English speaking students, going outside of this can be difficult. Yet as one of the Deans of Drury always puts it “your growth always happens outside of your comfort zone” and that is why it is important for international students to go out and blend in.  

Q: What are the biggest challenges that international students tend to face?

A: Getting involved in the community. From my experience international students find it difficult to feel connected. They are quiet. That is why Barry and I, the international support staff at Drury, try our best to connect international students to different organizations, clubs, professors, and events. We want international students to feel comfortable here in expressing their needs, being more outspoken and asking for help. 

Q: How does your personal experience with international immigration allow you to better assist students?  

A: Everything when it comes to the process of moving overseas is the same but different. Even though I went through the process at different times to the students I am helping, the mix of feelings surrounding the experience are pretty much the same. The advantages I bring to my role at Drury is my understanding of the process but also the empathy and patience I have for the students because I went through the process myself.