"From Paraguay to Bryn Mawr"

Originally from Luque, Paraguay, Sofía Díaz ‘26 is a Sociology and Political Science double major with a minor in Italian Studies. Here, she tells us how Bryn Mawr supported her transition to college as an international student.  

Tell us a bit about your college search. 

During my college search, two things stood out to me about Bryn Mawr: First is the fact that every student that I talked to highlighted the close-knit community. While 'community' might seem like a buzzword during the college search process, BMC students seemed to truly live by this idea. The other important thing for me was the fact that international students and students of color helped me see myself immersed in this community, and to know that I too could thrive in that space like that, it was like a new world of possibilities opened up to me. 

How was your first-year transition to Bryn Mawr? 

I was really nervous about making friends and finding community in a place so far away from home, feeling isolated is an unpleasant feeling that many international students experience, especially during the first semesters of the transition to college. However, Bryn Mawr has helped me in so many different ways, from not having first-year designated dorms which allowed me the opportunity to talk to people from all different class years; through the club activities that allowed me to connect with those who share the same passions; to meeting most of my friends through my on-campus jobs; I think all these factors have contributed to finding my home away from home here. 

"At Bryn Mawr, I have grown not only as an intellectual but also as a woman with greater confidence in myself, a stronger conviction in my beliefs and ideals, and a better sense of who I am and what is the future that I want for myself."

Tell us about your academic adjustment to Bryn Mawr.  

Throughout the transition process, professors and advisors have been fundamental to my adjustment, especially those who make amazing efforts to support BIPOC students on campus and make the learning environment more accessible for everyone. They have been not only a great support but also role models through their mentoring and personalized teaching considering the many challenges that international students can face on a daily basis. The small class sizes have helped me to connect with professors better and build that academic relationship that has benefited me in many ways.  

How have you grown as a person—in and outside of the classroom?

At Bryn Mawr, I have grown not only as an intellectual but also as a woman with greater confidence in myself, a stronger conviction in my beliefs and ideals, and a better sense of who I am and what is the future that I want for myself. Being surrounded by some of the brightest minds across the world and learning about the stories and sacrifices that women, who many times are trailblazers in a lot of diverse ways, had to endure in order to access an education fills me with motivation to keep learning and growing day after day.  

What is one piece of advice you would give a prospective international student? 

One piece of advice I would give to prospective international students about the college process is to talk and connect with current students. While I recognize it can be daunting to take that first step and connect with students, they all have been in your shoes just a few years ago! Even though it is fun to talk with Admissions Officers, there are some perspectives that only current international students can share with you. During my college application process, students were the most helpful part in deciding if Bryn Mawr was the place where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life and I do not regret my choice at all.