Home away from home: Triinu Grun’s journey to Rider

By Grace Bertrand

WHEN international student political science major Triinu Grun first arrived at Rider from Finland, she brought with her a suitcase filled with the potential of what studying in the United States could mean for her personally and professionally. 

“Hearing a lot about the United States from social media, the movies and the news, I was excited to see how it would be like actually living here,” said Grun, who applied to come to the U.S. in May 2024. 

When choosing a university for their exchange program, Grun knew she wanted to move to a country that spoke English, one of the only other languages she speaks, and a country that would be helpful for her studies. The U.S. met both of those criteria for Grun. 

“The political climate here is really different [from Finland],” said Grun. “The power that the U.S. has in global politics is really interesting and what I wanted.” 

When first applying for the program, however, Grun’s initial choice was a university in Chicago that unfortunately canceled their program with her after the state of Illinois decreased the number of international students they allowed. Upon hearing about Grun’s plans to come to the U.S., Rider jumped to Grun’s rescue in welcoming her as a temporary Bronc. 

Since arriving, Grun has felt more love than she anticipated. From the healthy food options at Daly Dining Hall, to the busyness of campus events and kind remarks from faculty and staff, Grun explained how agreeable the transition to Rider has been for her. 

“I think people in the United States are more friendly,” said Grun. “People greet you even when they don’t know you and always open doors for you. Everyone is willing to help you all the time and it’s really amazing.” 

Grun is just one of the new eight international students finding their temporary home at Rider as an acting Bronc this spring semester.  

Kim Algeo, director of the Office of International Education, is not only proud of that number but also of how Rider’s exchange programs have contributed to the student body’s diversity. 

“Having international students at Rider brings so much to a classroom,” said Algeo. “Different perspectives from around the world are so important. Otherwise we get stuck in this bubble of only New Jersey.” 

The OIE is in partnership with nearly 30 schools across Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe. As the list of global collaborators continues to grow, the OIE has made it their goal to ensure every international student that comes in is greeted with the necessary tools to make their transition feel as smooth as possible. 

Coming to the U.S. to study abroad, Grun also brought with her preconceived notions of what it would be like and anxieties of what her fate here would be. 

 “When I heard [President Donald] Trump won the elections, I was a little bit scared since I am an immigrant coming here,” said Grun. 

Algeo advocates for the OIE’s offered resources in not only helping these students look for their classes and get their Canvas fixed, but also in helping calm any anxieties they may have surrounding their presence in the U.S. right now. 

“We tell them in orientation ‘We’re your home away from home,’” said Algeo. “Right now, there are no policies that are affecting students that are here legally on student visas, so we are just taking it day by day.” 

 As a political science major, Grun also called the semester abroad the “most educational time” for her to enter the political climate of the U.S. 

After only being at Rider for less than a month, Grun expressed that most of the students, faculty and staff she has interacted with has given her a different perspective of the U.S. than she initially came here with. 

Algeo explained that her hope for future international students is that, like Grun, they are able to use their time at Rider to broaden their perspectives on life. 

“We love helping the students,” said Algeo. “We all [OIE] have a passion for being around different cultures and helping others find that too.” 

This article is part of the Home Away From Home series by The Rider News to highlight international students from Rider’s Office of International Education.