International Students have had issues regarding the pandemic for many reasons. They have struggled with getting their visas granted in order to come back to the United States and have the opportunity to come back to campus. The Men’s and Women’s Golf Teams both have many international students and have struggled with getting their players back to Hattiesburg in order to compete in the last fall semester.
Warwick Purchase, from South Africa, had trouble getting his visa ready in time in order to come to the united states compete last fall. “It was really hard on me mentally, because I was so ready to come to the states and compete in tournaments with my new team and teammates” he stated. It has been a weird and bizarre year, these international students had to wait in their home countries, waiting to see if they were going to get the opportunity to come back to Hattiesburg or must stay at home and do everything online. The challenges that the international students had to face were very immense in pressure and stress. We must respect their patience and resilience that they displayed, they showed us that they can go through many trials and we hope to see all our international students on campus as soon as they are allowed.
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