KU international graduates reflect on time away from home

For international students at KU, graduation marks the end of a journey that often begins far from home.

Martha Nuguid said she started her college experience in the Philippines before transferring to KU.

“I actually started my college journey in my home country. I’m from the Philippines; I studied two years there, took a gap year, and then moved here at KU.”

Mozhda Radmanish, from Afghanistan, came to KU before starting her master’s degree.

“I really liked this place because I got to meet girls from all over the world.”

But that transition doesn’t come easily.

Nuguid said language barriers made it difficult to connect at first.

“In my first year here, I struggled with socializing with other people because English is my second language, and I was conscious they would judge my grammar and accent.”

Over time, students said they found their place on campus.

“I challenged myself to go out of my comfort zone, join some clubs, and meet some friends, and later on I gained leadership skills,” Nuguid said.

For these students, graduation represents more than a degree.

“I am celebrating this milestone when a lot of girls in Afghanistan and my peers don’t have the fortune to go to college,” Radmanish said. “This degree that I am getting is not only mine; it belongs to them as well.”

The 2026 International Student Graduation Celebration takes place Friday, May 15th, at 2:00 pm in the Burge Union with a recognition event and reception. 

Watch the segment here: