From Honduras to America

The International student's perspective: what's it like studying abroad at Columbus State University?

Pictured left to right: Flavio Rápalo, Aldo Castro, and Harold Villa. Music majors specializing in Percussion, Trumpet, and Bassoon. Taken in front of the Schwob School of Music.

Columbus State University is home to numerous international students from a wide variety of backgrounds. The Saber asked three Honduran International Students, Flavio Rápalo, Aldo Castro, and Harold Villa, about their experience as an international student at Columbus State University.

Where are you from and what is your major?

All three had the same answer: “Honduras, and Music.”

Why did you choose Columbus State University?

Harold and Flavio had similar answers. “The good faculty at Schwob, and the good community here is what made me come here. Along with the location and infrastructure.”

Aldo added that all three were given full tuition scholarships for their Music degrees at Columbus State University. The three are Music majors, specifying in Trumpet, Bassoon, and Percussion.

Flavio, Aldo, and Harold also told The Saber that there was little opportunity for music careers in Honduras, but at Columbus State University there was a huge focus they could explore.

“Honduras has one national university, and it doesn’t have music,” said Castro.

There is one national University in Honduras, and it doesn’t have Music as a degree path. The classrooms here are also in better condition than those in Honduras.

When asked what they enjoyed most about Columbus, they all agreed downtown was their favorite. Aldo added, “It’s peaceful. It’s a peaceful community and not noisy.” Harold agreed, “I enjoy the kind people.”

Flavio, Aldo, and Harold are all first time study abroad students.