International student profile - Sudhir Selvaraj
Country of origin: India
College: Concordia College, Moorhead
Year in college: junior (graduating in May 2011)
Programs: majors in Political Science and Global Studies (Systems and Issues) and minor in
Economics
Favorite place on campus: Parke Student Leadership Center, or as I like to call it — the Hub of all student activity on campus.
Favorite class: Comparative Politics
Favorite campus activity: Intra-mural Ultimate Frisbee in the fall, and Cornstock — the spring festival
Career aspirations: Ph.D. in Economics or Political Science. As of now, I am undecided about a career. I am considering teaching, counseling or working with the United Nations.
Campus involvement: Vice President, Student Government Association, Director’s Assistant in Residence Life, International Student Organization, POD Leader / Admission Ambassador in the Admissions office, Intra-mural Frisbee.
I came to Moorhead in the fall of 2007 after completing my 12th grade national exams. I chose to come here primarily to test myself to see if I could live in a new and different environment, and I needed to explore the world in a different sense from the way I was brought up. I chose Concordia because of its emphasis on Being Responsibly Engaged in the World. I also came to America to enjoy all the different opportunities that might not have been available back home.
I always believe that a great academic development must be accompanied with a healthy involvement in campus activities; this will ensure a holistic growth. In my two years, I continue to be involved in a variety of campus activities. The skills and benefits that I have gained from these respective positions have greatly helped develop me into the person I am today. I have gained skills like leadership, conflict management, time management, communication and how to work with others.
I particularly enjoy the small classroom sizes. My professors know me personally and this helps a great deal in their adjusting their teaching styles to accommodate their students. The intense academic rigor also prepares us faster for real life. Another particular aspect which I enjoy is the emphasis on Being Responsibly Engaged in the World. This ensures that in addition to our classroom learning, we are encouraged to participate in service learning in the community. In that regard I have worked with numerous organizations like Habitat ReStore, Dorothy Day Food Pantry, Great Plains Food Bank, etc. A great example of how this came to light was during the 2009 Fargo floods. The campus community took it on themselves to help the community in any way, shape or form. I myself, spent up to 14 hours a day helping sandbag, build dikes or move things away from the waters.
My experiences in Concordia College have definitely helped me focus more on what I want to do with my life. I am now seriously contemplating a career in counseling to help students in India to realize their potential and develop their skills. I have not fully discounted a life in academia either. Life is full of opportunities and I am ready for it!