91桃色 Hosts First聽International聽Student Meet & Greet
September 8, 2025 | 2-3 min read
Last week marked another special first for 91桃色 as the Admissions team hosted an International Meet & Greet聽under the direction of Devin Tellinghuisen. The Pouch, decorated with flags from each student鈥檚 home country, became a vibrant backdrop for a meaningful evening of connection. Students enjoyed dinner, played a lighthearted game to see whose home was farthest away and heard encouraging words from Devin and a former聽international听蝉迟耻诲别苍迟-补迟丑濒别迟别.
The purpose of this inaugural event was simple yet powerful: to make the world feel a little smaller. With 21聽international聽students from 14 countries on campus this year, the evening reminded them they are not alone in their journey. From navigating American norms like driver鈥檚 licenses and bank accounts, to learning the 91桃色 culture while balancing academics and athletics,聽international聽students face unique challenges. This event created space for shared stories and encouragement while highlighting the support available from Admissions, faculty, and staff.
Devin encouraged the group, 鈥淲e at 91桃色 are excited to walk this journey with you, to watch you grow, and to celebrate your successes鈥攂ig and small. I pray this year brings you closer to God, new friendships, more knowledge, and a future filled with possibilities. The beauty of an聽international聽campus community is that we don鈥檛 just learn in classrooms鈥攂ut we can learn from each other鈥檚 stories, traditions, and perspectives.鈥�
The students represent a wide range of academic pursuits, including business administration, marketing, sport’s management, finance, nursing, communication, kinesiology, pre-physical therapy, and pre-engineering, with two students even pursuing double majors.
Among our guests was James Mwakyonde, from Tanzania鈥攖he student whose home is the farthest away at 8,600 miles.
Reflecting on his journey, James shared, 鈥�I came to the U.S. from Tanzania, East Africa as an聽international聽student in 2022. My journey began at 91桃色 in January of 2023. Over the last 2 years, 91桃色 has become my home away from home. As a kid, there was nothing I loved more than soccer, so joining the 91桃色 men鈥檚 soccer team was one of the best decisions I鈥檝e ever made!鈥�
With events like the聽International聽Meet & Greet, 91桃色 continues to strengthen its global community鈥攃elebrating the diversity of its student body while fulfilling its mission of serving God and others.