Ruth Nduta '08 Makes DePauw a Home Away from Home

December 12, 2008

When Ruth Nduta '08 first stepped on campus, she was one of 50 international students attending DePauw University. That number has more than doubled to 128, nearly 6 percent of the entire student body, in the four years following her arrival at Indianapolis International Airport. Now working on a fifth year internship, Nduta is focused on providing this growing body of students with the information and services they need to be successful on campus.

There may be no one more in tune with the needs of an international student than Nduta, who hasn't spent a year of school in her native Kenya since she was 11 years old. While still in primary school, Nduta was offered a scholarship to attend an international boarding school in Ghana, 2,700 miles west of her Nairobi home.

When her schoolwork in Ghana was coming to a close, Nduta searched for a college to attend. Most of her classmates were interested in schools on the East Coast of America and in Europe, but she wanted to find something new and different.

"One of my friends was applying to DePauw, and I thought it was cool, so I applied, too," recalls Nduta. "Ironically, his application was lost, and DePauw never received it. He still tells me that I stole his spot."

Nduta, who graduated this past year, made the most of her time at DePauw. She joined the International Student Association as a freshman, becoming its president as a sophomore, and remains a part of Wamidan (World's Association of Musicians, Instrumentalists and Dancers) as a performer in the group. While on a Winter Term in Tanzania, Nduta was able to serve as a Swahili translator for her fellow students.

Before she returns to Kenya to put her conflict studies major to good use, Nduta is spending a year at DePauw's Center for International and Experiential Education working to improve the college experience for other students from abroad. Her work there aids DePauw in its efforts to attract a diverse student body to better prepare graduates for a world of increasingly international careers.

"I've had the pleasure to work with Ruth at the CIEE," says Loutfi Jirari, the center's assistant director. "Ruth brings a unique perspective to her position because of her experiences as an international student. Ruth enjoys interacting with students and listening to their goals and aspirations. She believes that DePauw's international students play an important role in building a deeper understanding of the value of worldwide education, cooperation, and communication.

The process of accepting more students from abroad has meant there is a greater need for information about issues relating to immigration, travel, and work permits. Nduta is working to make sure that this information is readily accessible on the University's web site so that future international students can take full advantage of their time at DePauw.

"It's rewarding to be able to help students who are in the same situation as I was. Prospective international students can appreciate what we have to offer and therefore choose DePauw knowing that they have our support."

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