By To Carroll College’s International Student, Jesus Norambuena, family is a treasure. Although he is experiencing a great opportunity by being an exchange student in Helena, he is 6,074 miles from home and his family.
Jesus Norambuena is a sophomore at Carroll College studying data science. Norambuena has been here since 2022 when he left his home country, Chile.
Norambuena lived in Santiago, the capital and largest city of Chile, for most of his life.
Santiago is similar to other big cities worldwide, being bright and busy with exciting nightlife, parks, museums, and more.
Even though Norambuena’s home city is similar to most, he describes his life in Chile as tedious.
Back home, he was studying economics, and his days would consist of traveling to his university to attend classes and work as an economics teaching assistant, going back home on his motorcycle to study, and then taking time to enjoy practicing his favorite sport, weightlifting.
In Chile, Norambuena would compete in regional competitions for this sport and spend time with friends and family.
Norambuena lived with his mom Karina, dad Patricio, and two sisters, Nicole and Katalina.
Like Norambuena, his two sisters are also in a program to study in the United States.
“They also share the same interest in studying in the United States due to its high quality of life, education, and culture,” said Norambuena. “It makes me very proud as it encourages my family to take this path, and they might even surpass me since I only did an exchange.”
“What I miss the most about home is my family, as they are my greatest treasure,” says Norambuena. He says it’s challenging to be away from home, especially since everyone in his family was close with each other.
Norambuena chose Carroll College as his home to continue his education through an exchange program, which he says has changed his perspective on life. Though he is missing his family, it has not stopped him from having great experiences here in Helena.
At Carroll, he enjoys being active in the ministry community; their activities make for a very emotional and genuinely good experience, allowing a closer connection for him to God.
“It all started when I applied through my university to an exchange program, and Carroll College was one of the universities I applied to,” he said. “Once I was selected, I started this experience, which completely changed my perspective on life.”
