Story and photo by Kirstie Runion, Bluffton University Icon Intern

"What if Bluffton doesn't exist? What if it's some person that kidnaps people?"

These thoughts, among other fears, went through Sandra Vimbiso's head while coming to Bluffton University from Zimbabwe two years ago. Vimbiso is a sophomore at the university and majors in pre-med and biology.

She comes from Harare, the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. Along with speaking English, she speaks Shona and Ndebele, languages of Zimbabwe. She left her father and three older siblings. It was hard to adjust at first.

"I'm not used to some of the technology," she said as she shared a story of the first time she used an automatic toilet.

"It seems like everything is some machine that is working for you."Her first year here she said she stayed in her room and was kept to herself with fears of being thought of as weird by the other students. She was unsure of all the different nationalities and backgrounds here.

"Where I come from, there are not so many white people, maybe like at my school there were three."When she did leave her room she found out, "Everyone is ever so friendly."

This year, she is branching out by being a resident advisor.

"I love being an RA, I've met a lot of different people."

Vimbiso also meets people by being I-con president. I-con stands for International Connection and is a group on campus that learns about places around the world.

"I-con is open to anyone on campus. We try to involve as many people to bond and create friendships."

As president she organizes officers, members and group functions.
"We can understand each other, we can create friendships. It's gotten me to know more about the American culture."

She has changed a lot since her first year.

"I don't see a barrier between me and an American. I feel like I'm on the same level as them."

Though she has done a lot of adjusting, she still misses things about home.

"I still haven't adjusted to the food, I just eat 'cause I have to."

Vimbiso wants to go to medical school and then become a pediatrician. She has plans to visit Zimbabwe in April.