Over a scoop of Haagen Dazs

Tonight over dinner, I had the chance to speak with a close friend about the potential of Eyes On Campus. The discussion though initially broad in nature, soon focused on a specific demographic of students that can benefit immensely from such a resource - International Students. As our conversation swayed back and forth like the branches to the storm outside, drifting from our travels to our professions, our childhood to our own respective college experiences, we repeatedly returned to stories of good friends whose paths to our colleges had been vastly different than ours. Some of the close friends we have today were not born or brought up in America; on the contrary, many found their homes here after their undergraduate education for which they had crossed the seven seas.

From the point we conceived of the idea for Eyes on Campus, to today where we have a fully functional website and a growing community, our focus has been to provide the ultimate resource for students to make a well-informed decision on where they will spend their formative academic years. Our vision was to create a resource that broke down boundaries for students to understand the intangibles of campus life from the voices of actual students.

As I sat there with a mouthful of silky honey Haagen Dazs topped with strawberries (yum), our discussion drifted to the difficulties some of our friends had faced when making their campus decision. Neither of our friends had visited a US campus prior to deciding; instead their decision was primarily driven by a combination of the institution's academic prowess and financial aid. We had known a few students in our freshman year of college who couldn't adjust to both the academic and social culture of our respective campuses leading them to return back home with shattered dreams and maxed-out credit cards. I had known of students who experienced depression; some even burned out without ever achieving a study-life balance. Some found it very difficult to make friends, feeling alienated in their new home while distanced from their familiarity.

During my freshman year, I can remember countless days walking up and down Bruin walk without a conversation or hello. In a sea of 30,000 students, I was a minnow entertained by the voice inside, not that of a friend or a friendly stranger. Although my friend circle grew over my four years, I can still remember how isolated and alone I had initially felt as I tried to find my fit.
As I finished up the last drop of ice cream, I could only imagine how difficult it must be for those international students, foreign to the culture, language, food, with often times the hopes and dreams of their families and ancestors on their shoulders. Their plight and resolve fuel my passion to make Eyes On Campus the ultimate free resource, without barriers, for all students.

As Eyes On Campus seeks to be the "ultimate insider's guide to campus life", it will provide valuable insight into the intangibles of student life, academic balance, professor reviews, and social life, thus allowing international students to virtually explore a wide range of campuses without incurring the financial burden of crossing the seven seas for a campus tour. Eyes On Campus will not only provide a platform for International students to isolate campuses that fit their personality and academic ambitions but also provide a guide that exposes hot spots and restaurant options that provide a channel for socializing with others of similar interest. By doing so, perhaps in a very small way, Eyes On Campus can open doors to friendships and pave the bridge across the seven seas. Perhaps Eyes On Campus can provide a jump-start for international students to find the right home away from home; a place where they can receive a good education, enjoy the social life and make lifelong friends with whom they can one day sit around and savor a scoop of Haagen Dazs.