The Real College Experience: 1,000 Miles From Home Edition with Deniz Toksoz

College is difficult, and that’s especially true for international students. Deniz Toksoz, who attends FSU and hails from Turkey, shares with us what it’s like to be that far from home.

Her Campus (HC): I’m very happy to be here with you today and am excited to hear about your story! Please introduce and tell me a little about yourself.  

Deniz Toksoz (DT): My name is Deniz, and I’m an international student from Turkey! I am majoring in advertising with a minor in criminology. An interesting fact about me is that I have a twin sister who looks identical to me while we’re actually fraternal twins! I also love Asian and Middle Eastern food, and consume boba and Starbucks religiously.  

HC: Tell me about your hometown. What are some differences between your hometown and America? 

DT: I’m from Istanbul, a very hectic and crowded city. I don’t miss the traffic and the overly crowded streets, but I miss being able to walk or use public transportation everywhere. America is more spread out and has less overcrowded cities, like Tallahassee. One thing I don’t like is how car-dependent America is. I wish there was more of a walking and public transportation culture.  

HC: What was your overall experience with moving? Any hardships and lessons? 

DT: Growing up, I moved around a few times, but I’ve never experienced anything as big as moving to a whole different country until recently. Leaving behind my family and friends was the most challenging part of moving to college. I knew I was leaving my support system behind me and starting a new piece of my life by myself. At first, it was scary and worrisome to be going somewhere completely new without knowing the outcome of it. But I think getting out of my comfort zone taught me to be resilient and patient. The more I made an effort to familiarize myself with people and push myself to become involved, the more I saw growth in myself! I see being a student in America as a rewarding experience instead of focusing on the hard sides.  

HC: How was the language barrier when communicating with others? Were there any cultural shocks? 

DT: I am fluent in both Turkish and English, as I’ve been learning English since elementary school. I remember struggling a little bit initially because I wasn’t used to being surrounded by English every day, but having all my IB classes in English helped me develop and get easier with time. A significant cultural shock was how talkative and approachable everyone was here. I’ve seen people randomly start conversations with people in elevators or become friends by complimenting another person. I found that super cool since people in Turkey don’t approach others for conversation out of the blue.  

HC: What are some pros and cons of being an international student in America?  

DT: I’d say some pros are getting a good and high-quality education, broadening your perspective, getting out of your comfort zone and gaining essential experiences by actively participating in clubs and events. Some cons are the language barrier, culture shock, homesickness and your support system/resources being far from you. 

HC: How do you deal with homesickness? Is there anything you do to stay connected with your heritage during the school year? 

DT: It isn’t easy, especially at first, but the more I’m away from home, the more I feel myself developing and growing. There are moments when I wish I could be in the comfort of my own home, but I think there are many things to look forward to and be invested in at Florida State. So I hold on to that and surround myself with opportunities I couldn’t have had back home. Whenever I miss home, I like to talk to my family or friends back in Turkey to feel connected to them and even watch my favorite Turkish shows to feel at one with my culture.  

HC: Does FSU do a good job of welcoming international students? What are some things they could do more?  

DT: I’m glad I chose FSU; it gave me exactly what I wanted. It has an active campus life and high school spirit, with something going on every day. I also joined incredible organizations that became a significant part of my college life, like Her Campus! I’ve made friends through these organizations and even the dorms I stayed in. I think that Central Global Engagement (CGE) does a good job of welcoming international students. Their staff also helped me a lot during my student visa process. The International Coffee Hours hosted by them every Friday are also cool because they bring students together to appreciate a new culture every week. I also was assigned a College Life Coach during my first semester who supported me in many ways. However, one thing I wish I were able to do was connect with more international students! FSU should have more events targeted to bring international students together and help them meet each other.  

HC: Lastly, any advice to incoming freshmen, specifically those who are international students? 

DT: One piece of advice I’d give is not to shy away from asking for help! There are so many resources on campus that might help. Don’t be scared to ask questions to other students, and try to familiarize yourself with the people around you. Speaking from experience, asking for help, and reaching out to people always is the better solution. Also, be patient. Getting used to an entirely new culture or a new beginning takes time.  

FSU wouldn’t be the same school without its international students. Get to know some of them at International Coffee Hour at The Globe!

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