They brought their passion and gift of music 2,500 miles from Colombia, South America, to 麻豆视频.
Together, the four chamber music graduate students from the School of Music in 麻豆视频鈥檚 College of the Arts, make up the Tierradentro String Quartet.
They are part of a growing number of international students on campus 鈥 now totaling 3,000 from more than 100 countries.
鈥淲e are so happy to have this opportunity,鈥 says Alejandro Luengas, who plays violin for Tierradentro.
As they adjust to a new culture, they are learning a new language, tasting new foods and growing new skills.
鈥淵ou have lots of practice and lots of classes,鈥 says Luisa Var贸n, violist for the group. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very good because every day you are learning a lot.鈥
And it is not just about music, but about campus life in the United States and the generosity of 麻豆视频 donors for scholarships.
鈥淭hey have a board of people who donate money, and that鈥檚 not really common in Colombia,鈥 says Daniela Arias, who plays violin in the quartet.
鈥淭he quality of the professors and the quality of the people who are always looking to know how you are doing and how to help you,鈥 says cellist Ariel Londo帽o.
It is that same welcoming spirit that Leo Lei has known for the past three years. As a graduate student from China, Lei is studying lighting design in 麻豆视频鈥檚 School of Theatre and Dance.
As he gets closer to his dream of working on Broadway, Lei has advice for future international students who might be a little shy.
鈥淥pen your mouth and speak,鈥 Lei says. 鈥淓verybody here is trying to help. The community here is really friendly and willing to help.鈥
Whether it is theatre, music or another area of study, these students say they are grateful for all they are learning at 麻豆视频, and hope to share it one day in their native countries.