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Walking across campus at Lincoln Trail College this fall, you鈥檒l hear more than the chatter of classmates heading to class鈥攜ou鈥檒l hear a world of voices. From Spanish to Japanese, Portuguese to German, LTC鈥檚 hallways have become a global meeting place.
This semester, 39 students representing 16 different countries have made LTC their home. Together, they bring with them eight primary languages, a rich mix of cultures, and a spirit of adventure that is reshaping what it means to be a Statesman.
While the numbers alone are impressive, the stories behind them are even more inspiring. For many of these students, coming to LTC meant leaving family and friends thousands of miles away to pursue education, athletics, and new opportunities.
鈥淓very time a new student arrives, it鈥檚 like adding a new thread to the tapestry of our campus community,鈥 said Rachel Greenwood, International Student Liaison. 鈥淓ach one brings a unique perspective, and together they create something truly special.鈥
Athletics continue to play a big role in attracting students from abroad. Of the 39 international students, 20 are on the men鈥檚 soccer team, 17 are on the women鈥檚 soccer team, with others competing in golf and volleyball. On the field, language barriers disappear.
鈥淭he game becomes a universal language,鈥 Greenwood explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to watch teammates who grew up on different continents instantly connect through their passion for sport.鈥
The most widely spoken language among LTC鈥檚 international students is Spanish, with 20 students calling it their first language. They鈥檙e joined by speakers of Portuguese (6), French (3), Italian (3), Japanese (2), Afrikaans (2), English (2), and German (1).
鈥淚t鈥檚 not unusual to walk past a group of students and hear three or four different languages in the same conversation,鈥 Greenwood said with a smile. 鈥淚t reminds us every day that learning happens far beyond the classroom.鈥
For Greenwood, the best part of her role is seeing students grow more confident as they find their place on campus.
鈥淚nternational students often tell me that LTC feels like a second home because people here genuinely care,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat sense of belonging makes all the difference when you鈥檙e half a world away from home.鈥
From Brazil to Japan, South Africa to Spain, LTC students are proving that while their journeys started in different corners of the world, they鈥檝e all found common ground here.
鈥淭hey come here as athletes, scholars, and dreamers,鈥 Greenwood said. 鈥淏ut together, they鈥檙e Statesmen. And that shared identity is what makes Lincoln Trail so special.鈥