Renata Babajan is a junior majoring in advertising management with minors in public relations and entrepreneurship and innovation. She is an intern for International Studies and Programs Communications, where she helps produce and manage digital content.
When I moved into the Residential Business Community as a freshman, I expected to be surrounded by students who shared my interest in business. I looked forward to meeting new people, working on projects together and adjusting to college life. What I didn't expect was some of the most meaningful lessons would come from conversations outside the classroom.
Living in the RBC introduced me to students from all over the world. Although we all chose Michigan State, many of our journeys to East Lansing looked completely different. Through everyday interactions, group projects and time spent together in our residence hall, I began hearing perspectives that I had never considered before. One thing that stood out to me was learning how different the college experience was in their home countries. We talked about classroom expectations, campus life and what it was like to adapt to studying in the United States. Listening to their experiences made me realize that there isn't one "right" way to approach education or business. Our conversations challenged me to think beyond what I had always known and reminded me that every person brings a unique perspective shaped by where they come from.
Those conversations also made me think about my own family. My parents immigrated to the U.S from Iraq during the Gulf War and, while I grew up hearing parts of their story, I had never truly considered what it may have felt like to build a new life in an unfamiliar place. Hearing classmates describe the excitement, uncertainty and adjustment that came with studying in another country gave me a new appreciation for what my parents may have experienced when they first arrived. Although everyone's journey is different, those conversations helped me better understand the courage and resilience needed to begin somewhere new.
Before coming to Michigan State, I thought international experiences mostly meant traveling abroad or studying in another country. My freshman year showed me that global learning can happen without ever leaving campus. Sometimes it happens while working on a group project. Sometimes it happens through a casual conversation in a residence hall. Sometimes it simply starts by asking someone about their story.
Michigan State is home to students from around the world, and that diversity is one of its greatest strengths. My international classmates broadened my perspective in ways I never expected. They reminded me that learning isn't limited to textbooks or lectures. Some of the most valuable lessons come from listening to the people around you, whose experiences can change the way you see the world and even your own story.