A Home Away From Home: International Students at iACADEMY

Building a life in a new country means learning a hundred new things at once; it means adjusting to a different culture, finding your footing, and building connections far from home. For the international students at iACADEMY, the journey has brought its share of challenges and surprises, but also new friendships, unexpected discoveries, and a place they could call home—far from the home they first knew.

iACADEMY welcomes international students from all across the globe. We got to know BS Animation student, Min Thet Htwe from Myanmar, and Ngo Thien Chuc, AB Multimedia Arts and Design student from Vietnam. They reflected on their journeys so far here in the Philippines, and of course, in iACADEMY. 

Naturally, a fresh start in a foreign land comes with its own uncertainties and adjustments. Min Thet Htwe initially worried about language barriers and blending in with the other students. Although he admits to missing his hometown, he remains committed to studying here in the Philippines for the sake of his future. Ngo Thien Chuc, meanwhile, struggled with not knowing Tagalog. Being the introvert that he is, he recalled merely sitting on his first day in class. There was also the matter of adjusting to the country’s culture. Min Thet Htwe expressed surprise at the presence of food stalls where Filipinos could eat while standing, whereas most people in his country sit down while eating. Ngo Thien Chuc observed so many stray cats out in the streets, as well as the fact that so many Filipinos could speak English. 

Yet as they adjusted to these unfamiliar sights and habits, they also began discovering that not everything about life in the Philippines felt foreign. Min Thet Htwe realized how alike Filipinos and Burmese people are in terms of appearance and culture. Ngo Thien Chuc noted that both Vietnam and the Philippines have many tall buildings, malls, and people. They found familiar threads connecting the Philippines to the places they had to leave behind for now for the sake of their futures.

Of course, there was the more personal question of finding their footing in an unfamiliar community. But within the wider community of the Philippines, they found a place where they truly belong at iACADEMY. Min Thet Htwe’s fears about fitting in were unfounded, as he shared that he was indeed able to blend in. “My worries were mostly language barrier[s] and also if I’m going to fit in with other students. And when I got here, you know, everyone [was] super friendly. They’re kind, and we’re like family here. Professors as well. Since I look a lot like a Filipino, they didn’t know at first that I am a foreigner, but I told them that I don’t understand Tagalog, and they explain[ed] to me everything in English,” Min Thet Htwe shared. Ngo Thien Chuc, who sat idle on his first day, shared that his classmates were nice and were the ones who approached him first, welcomed him, and even asked him to hang out. He said that the community overall is very welcoming and friendly towards him. Interestingly, when asked about their favorite thing about iACADEMY, both shared that they appreciated being able to be their authentic selves. “In iACADEMY, I will say that, I can wear whatever I like, or I can, you know, do what I want—I mean, as long as it’s still appropriate and follow[s] the school rules,” Ngo Thien Chuc expressed. 

And now, both of them are pursuing their dreams in a land that no longer feels too unfamiliar. Min Thet Htwe is pursuing Animation—something he has dreamed of ever since he was a kid. Ngo Thien Chuc, who wanted to know a lot more about different forms of media such as photography, graphic design, graphic motion, and the like, chose iACADEMY’s Multimedia Arts and Design program.  

For the two students, the enrollment process at iACADEMY was a smooth and hassle-free experience. From helping them fulfill the necessary requirements to assisting with Visa processing at the Bureau of Immigration, the school provided them hands-on support throughout the process. With guidance at every step, iACADEMY made their transition into student life here in the Philippines easier.

Indeed, iACADEMY, with its Animation and Multimedia Arts and Design program, primarily aims to equip students with the tools and knowledge to explore their passions and creativity. iACADEMY, however, is also more than a school—it is a home. Defining a home can be simple: it is the place where you were born in or live in every waking moment. Beyond that, a home can also be a place originally so unfamiliar, a community you find unexpectedly, or somewhere you gain the confidence to pursue your dreams. iACADEMY is that kind of home; it is a space where students from different backgrounds can learn, connect, and grow.