Five International Students on Why They Chose Notre Dame

Students come from all over the world to study at Notre Dame. Currently, international students hail from 74 countries outside of the U.S.—and those are just our undergraduate numbers. They help make up a diverse student body and a campus culture that welcomes new ideas and experiences.

Here, five international students tell us why they chose Notre Dame and what makes this place special to them.

Lauren Boutros '19

Political Science and Design
Citizenship: Lebanon, U.S.

What made you choose Notre Dame? The Notre Dame community and the importance given to social concern and community service. Also, early contact with enthusiastic and supportive professors and the clearly abundant opportunities on and off campus.

What is your favorite part about being an international student at Notre Dame? Being able to share the viewpoint and exposure that growing up in Lebanon has given me. I've come to understand and appreciate the responsibility that I have to humanize the Middle East and contribute to the mosaic of backgrounds here by sharing stories and experiences with my classmates. It's a little like bridging an anticipated gap between cultures.

Yutong Liu '19

Biological Science
Citizenship: China

What made you choose Notre Dame? I choose Notre Dame for its great academics – the focus on undergraduate education, while still having the resources of a graduate research institution. However, I also choose Notre Dame for its community. The amount of caring, inclusiveness, and sense of engagement with the community cannot be found anywhere else.

What is your favorite part about being an international student at Notre Dame? My favorite part about being an international student at Notre Dame is the amount of care and respect I receive in the ND community. There is always help if you need it, and everyone seems interested in my cultural background.

Ahana Sood '21

Management and Entrepreneurship
Citizenship: India

What made you choose Notre Dame? Apart from the academic excellence and esteem that comes with being Irish, its people.

What is your favorite part about being an international student at Notre Dame? I not only get to spread awareness about my culture, but also get to interact with people from different parts of the world and learn from them. Notre Dame is an extremely welcoming and accommodating community where people of all races and colors are accepted and nurtured.