International students’ first winter experience

MAIREAD BROCK
PHOTOGRAPHER

KYLE CHOKAS
STAFF WRITER

SARON GEBREGZIABHIER
STAFF WRITER

1/29/2024

While we may not have had a white Christmas here in Michigan, January is making up for the lack of winter weather we had in December. With temperatures hitting single digits during the day and getting as low as the negatives at night, here are a few things Alma College students should know about staying safe in the winter weather.

If you’re heading outside, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you wear “several layers of loose-fitting clothing,” and wear a scarf to cover your face, mittens to cover your hands and a hat to protect your head. It’s advised that you cover as much exposed skin as possible to preserve your body heat. 

Now, if you’re heading away from campus at any point, the National Weather Services advises all drivers to “take it slow in ice and snow” and to be extra observant of drivers around you. 

For international students, however, experiencing the winter weather for the first time can be quite shocking. 

“I was expecting snow to fall in big chunks. I don’t like the cold, but the snow is very pretty and I felt like I was living the American dream,” said Pearl Amedagbe (’27), an international student at Alma College from Ghana. 

The reality of snowfall differed from her imagination. “I thought it fell like hail. I had no idea that snow had wind! I thought it just falls and piles up,” said Amedagbe. Before experiencing snow, Amedagbe’s concept came from Christmas movies, particularly snow only being in December. 

For those about to experience snow for the first time, Amedagbe advises practical preparation. “Come with warm clothes, hats, boots, gloves, jackets, hoodies, sweaters unless you want to be a chunk of ice,” said Amedagbe. She emphasizes the worth of experiencing snow firsthand, noting that descriptions from others may not capture the true essence.

“Seeing snow is beautiful, but being cold sucks,” expressed George Amoako (’24), who is also an international student from Ghana. 

Amoako’s experience of snowfall differed from his expectations. “It was kind of cool to see how snow came down. I mean, obviously, you watch movies, you watch football and you see snow, but it’s kind of different when you are actually standing in there and experiencing it,” said Amoako. Having researched and prepared for Michigan’s snowy climate before arriving, he wasn’t shocked by the amount of snow, which is a stark contrast to the hot weather in Ghana.

In reflecting on resources for international students, Amoako highlights the need for better support from the college, particularly in providing winter gear. In his words, “I think the college can do better by providing coats, boots, and winter gear. The college needs to do more to help with our transition,” said Amoako. 

Amoako emphasized that international students contribute significantly to the college’s diversity and suggested increased assistance for a smoother transition into the new environment.

These firsthand accounts shed light on the mix of wonder, challenges and resilience that international students at Alma College encounter as they navigate their first winter season in Michigan. From adapting to the cold temperatures to mastering new skills, their stories highlight the transformative power of experiencing a snowy landscape for the first time.