Having tea with President Nikias and 15 other USC students gave Jihyun Shin a greater appreciation than ever for USC.

Story by: Jihyun Shin

I still remember my mixed feelings of excitement, joy, and anxiety when I first arrived at USC two years ago from Korea to enter the International Relations PhD program. Like most international students, I felt some vulnerability due to my lack of experience interacting with Americans and my unfamiliarity with American culture. Fear of clumsiness limited my interactions with classmates and colleagues at first. Eventually though, I learned that people here do not look at your clumsiness, but the true meaning of your actions and words.

I was impressed by the cultural diversity of the USC campus and the friendly, congenial environment that made me, as an international student, feel immediately at home. For the past two years I have been blessed to enjoy every aspect USC has to offer: the lively discussions and learning with professors and colleagues in seminars; the efficient library system with rich data and resources; the pleasant campus landscape that gives me a refreshing break from lectures and conferences; the friendships with some of the brightest students from all over the world; the helpful staffs at various offices, such as OIS, which patiently listen to my problems and efficiently address my concerns.

In September, I was invited to have tea and refreshments with President C.L. Max Nikias, along with 15 other students from a variety of academic concentrations, including English literature, journalism, biology, engineering, political science and international relations. The gathering took place at the President’s Dining Room in the Ronald Tutor Campus Center. Each student shared one thing that they love about USC and one way USC could be improved. We discussed potential improvements in the areas of study abroad programs, integration of international students, representation of minority students, financial support, and career advising. President Nikias listened intently and took notes as we spoke.

During the meeting, I realized I had enjoyed all of these blessings without much reflection on how they developed. Like with every great achievement in the world, the things I love about USC do not arise on their own, nor are they sustained on their own. There are always people working behind the scenes and striving for greatness. The great things about USC are like the fruit that seems effortless until you realize that it was the result of people’s hard work and sweat. President Nikias demonstrates this idea through his hard work and inspired leadership. By meeting with USC students and listening to their thoughts and concerns, he helps sustain the university’s greatness.

Throughout the meeting, I could feel the devotion, liveliness, and energy in the room, and I was more proud than ever to be a USC student. Koreans like to say that “small changes make a big difference,” and I am certain that it is these seemingly small instances, such as constructive meetings with students, that make USC big.

Shin and Nikias small

 

 Jihyun Shin is from Korea and is pursuing a PhD in International Relations.