Léonie de Jonge, Alscheid, Luxembourg

My Roots/About Me
I am from Luxembourg, a tiny country located in the heart of Europe. After completing secondary education in Luxembourg, I was recruited to play basketball for a junior college in North Dakota, where I completed an associate of arts degree before transferring to Cornell College.

Area of Study
International Relations

Cornell Activities
Basketball , Lunch Buddies Program

Long Term Goal
I plan on going to graduate school after Cornell.

Did you have any concerns about fitting in at Cornell?
Naturally, I had some concerns about coming to Cornell; it is always hard to start all over, not knowing anything or anybody–especially being so far away from home.

What were some of your initial impressions of the campus community?
The first few days on campus were quite difficult, but the student body is extremely diverse, which makes adjustment easy. Students, staff and faculty are friendly and eager to welcome newcomers. Getting to know my roommate and my host family helped with the transition. My teammates are also extremely nice and welcoming.

How have you grown at Cornell?
I feel right at home now; I know my way around on campus, and I can better estimate what to expect from certain classes. Everything is less intimidating than it seemed at the beginning.

How would you describe the campus culture to other international students?
Cornell College is extremely diverse and open to other cultures. Students, faculty, staff and community members are welcoming and eager to learn about your culture. The college provides plenty of opportunities to become active in student organizations and to share your culture with others, so reach out to others and get involved!