The U.S. Experience at Hartwick

By Student Content Creators: Oiram Duenas-Valles ’26, Ana Sánchez ’27 and Patrick Close ’26

International students Bryan Bole ’29 and Luca Riesch ’29 found that Hartwick College offered more than just classes; it became their American experience. Through partnerships with the Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg Stuttgart (DHBW Stuttgart), Germany, and the Paris Graduate School of Digital Innovation, commonly known as EPITECH, in France, students like Bole and Riesch not only receive an education but also immerse themselves in campus life. Through these programs, Bole will spend a full academic year at Hartwick, while Riesch will spend one semester.

In selecting Hartwick, Bole, and Riesch had very different reasons for how they ended up on Oyaron Hill. Bole was looking for the kind of U.S. college experience that he had always pictured. “I found Hartwick after much research,” he said. It looked good compared to other schools that offered a business major. Riesch, on the other hand, chose Hartwick through the partnership with DHBW. He said through the partnership, “it was easy to get here” because of all the help and organization that was provided.

Bole and Riesch were welcomed to campus a week earlier than domestic students. Upon arrival, Bole’s first impression was that while Hartwick’s campus didn’t seem busy from the outside, looks can be deceiving; the college was full of students studying and working across campus. He thought to himself, “Too many people!” He was also amazed by the number of extracurriculars, like the student-led clubs and sports teams. “It’s impressive,” he said.

During that first week, the Center for Global Education guided them through orientation and daily life in the U.S. The students visited Albany, explored Oneonta and attended a barbecue hosted by Provost Laurel Bongiorno. “They did a lot of activities for us, like pizza night, games, things that helped us meet new people,” said Bole.

Both students said the transition from Europe to the U.S. has been exciting, even when facing culture shock. Riesch explained, “In Europe, you live alone or at home. Then you go to campus, study there, do your studies, and then you go back home.” In comparison to the U.S college system, where “you live here, and you have your people here.”

Bole added, “Your life is around college. It’s not the case in Europe. So, it’s a bit of a change for us.” They’ve also discovered a few surprises, especially when it comes to food. Riesch said, “At first, I didn’t know what to pick in the Commons. There were burgers and fries everywhere. Now I eat healthier. I just had to get used to it!”

Hartwick offered plenty of ways to get involved. And Bole and Riesch jumped right in! They joined the campus radio club, WRHO, and the International Club. Bole has shown great interest in joining the school’s cross-country team because of his love for running. Riesch joked that he’s not a runner but enjoys the on-campus gym. At Hartwick, they’ve gained both lessons and memories that define their American experience.

For international students thinking about making the same journey they did, Riesch and Bole offered the following advice. Riesch admitted he was worried about making friends at first, but Global Education helped him connect quickly. “Global Education helped a lot to make friends very quickly,” he said.

Boles encouraged international students to connect with others. “Don’t stay in your room, “ he said. “Go discover another person. Join clubs, as it’s a good occasion to discover new people.”

And if a language barrier is holding you back, Riesch offers this advice. “Even if it’s not working for you to speak English, you will get more comfortable over time,” he said. “Don’t be shy to speak English just because you think it’s not perfect.”

For Bole and Riesch, Hartwick has been more than classrooms and campus events. It has been a gateway to friendships, cultural discovery and a deeper understanding of the U.S. Exactly the kind of experience they were looking for.