When Elsa Lacayo chose to go to college, she left behind not only her friends and family, but also her home in Nicaragua to get a college education in America.

“I was really nervous but excited at the same time,” Lacoya said.

Like Lacayo, hundreds of international students leave their homes every year to pursue an education in a completely different country.

According to the Center of International Education, Loyola currently has 137 international students enrolled in this fall semester coming from over 40 countries around the world.

Some say coping with being in a different country without your family can be tough.

“It was kind of hard and difficult to get used to being without my family and being alone,” Lacayo said.

Miranda Stramel, assistant director for international student and scholar services, said that international students come across many challenges while getting accustomed to the language and the culture in America. That is why Loyola supplies many services to international students to help them adjust.

“The language barrier has been a great factor. I went to a bilingual school but still I was not used to talking in English all the time,” Lacayo said.

Stramel said that the Center for International Education wants to make sure that the students are ready before they come to America.

International students go through a long process to get here. According to the Center for International Education, the process includes an application, a VISA, a intensive English program, and an international student orientation.

Even though students are very informed before they come to Loyola, they still find some nice surprises in New Orleans.

“It really surprised me how there are a lot of similarities in New Orleans from my home country. The southern hospitality made me feel like home,” Lacayo said.

Along with counseling services that Loyola provides to all students, the Center for International Education has an open door policy when it comes to making sure international students are comfortable.

“Anytime they are having academic problems, personal problems or cultural adjustment issues, they can come here,” Stramel said.

The International Student Association has a buddy program, which pairs international students with American students to help them adjust not only academically, but also socially.

“If they have a questions about the best place to get a po-boy or what’s normal in terms of college life, if they’re curious about that whole system, they can ask their American group about it. And it can also be a social group to experience New Orleans together,” Stramel said.

Ashely Roca, English and graphic design senior, said that she connects with her friend from Puerto Rico through American and Hispanic culture.

“Being friends with an international student encourages me to get in touch with my Spanish heritage while I help her adjust to American life,” Roca said.

Lacayo said that she enjoyed the experiences that she has had at Loyola because of the great friends that she has made.

“I am always happy to go back home, but I will always miss New Orleans because it is truly my second home,” Lacayo said.