Joshua Van Zuylen, Class of 2024
Milton, Ontario, Canada
Major(s): Business
What first attracted you to Virginia Wesleyan University?
The first thing that attracted me to VWU were the small class sizes, the community on campus and the lacrosse program.
How did you find out about VWU and why were you interested in attending college here?
I was recruited to Virginia Wesleyan by Coach Stewart. I always knew I wanted to be a NCAA athlete, after my first few visits at other colleges, I knew I had not yet found a place that felt like it could be my home. Once I came on my visit here, I fell in love with the sense of community and the area surrounding campus.
What were your first impressions when you arrived on campus? What have you liked best about VWU and your experiences here so far?
My first impression of campus was that the students were all so welcoming. Being away from home for the first time was scary but my teammates and friends quickly made me feel like I had a new home. The thing I have liked the most about Wesleyan are the professors. Every course I have taken, you can tell they care about their students' success as well as they genuinely enjoy the content they are teaching.
What is most different from what you were used to at home?
Being from Canada there are not many large differences. The thing that has stuck out the most to me are the names we have for things. For example, we call it “garbage,” Americans call it “trash.” We call it “pop,” Americans call it “soda.” Also “Eh” is not an essential part of my friends’ vocabulary like it is back home.
What were some of your biggest challenges in adjusting to college life in another country?
The biggest challenge I have faced is being far away from my family. For me, it is family first, always. Not being able to see them face to face has been a struggle but FaceTime makes that less of a challenge.
What activities are you hoping to be involved in on campus?
I'm not exactly sure what activities I'm going to be involved in on campus but the lacrosse program has become very important to me. My teammates feel like brothers.
What advice would you give to other students coming to VWU from another country?
One piece of advice I would give would be to “buy in.” To me “buying in” means participating in school activities, going out and meeting new people, really just immersing yourself in the college experience. The more you “buy in” the better your time at Virginia Wesleyan will be.
What do you hope to do after graduation from college?
After graduation I hope to start my own business. What that business is, I'm not yet sure. I just know I want to be my own boss and do something to make real change.