My name is Ryenchin Myagmarsuren. I’m from Mongolia. Also, I study economics at the National University of Mongolia. During the third year of my college, I was accepted to the Global UGRAD 2018-2019 Exchange program, to spend a semester studying in America with other outstanding undergraduate students from around the world. This is the simple story of how I came to Castleton University for the spring semester of 2018-2019.

It is such an honor to be the first Mongolian student in Castleton University. I’ve a lot of responsibility to represent my home country. My country is a located in Asia, bordered by China and Russia. Also, our country is very well-known for a nomadic culture and vast steppe. For me, I grew up as the son of a nomadic herder in the remote area of Dornod province in Eastern Mongolia. At the age of five, I learned how to ride a horse, and one year later I participated in actual horse racing in my village as usual Mongolian tradition.

Source: http://www.arslan.mn/social/news/59388.shtml

A few years later, I moved to the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, to pursue a better education. In our capital city Ulaanbaatar has over 1.4 million people. In Mongolia, we have four seasons such  as spring, summer, fall and winter as well. For summer time it reaches around 100F and for winter it reaches -40F. In other words, we have a colder winter than Castleton and hot summer as well.

The capital city Ulaanbaatar Source: https://www.ulaanbaatar.mn/Home/Mayors

I stayed in Castleton for almost four months, January to May. Throughout my experience in Castleton, I made many friends and I learned a lot of new things from the Castleton community besides academics. Also, there are many things that I like here. First, I love people in Castleton because they are very friendly, helpful and safe. Second, I have to mention the green mountain environment and its fresh air. After four months, I feel Castleton as my home, but I feel little bit sad because I’m going to leave Castleton University on May 18th. So, my time in Castleton University became one of my unforgettable lifetime experiences. Academically, my professors were encouraging and with great knowledge. Especially, I learned American history, culture and current socio-economic situation as well. Besides that, the International Office was very encouraging and helpful to adjust to a new environment. Finally, I would like to say thank you for all my friends in the Castleton such as my classmates, roommate and neighbors in my floor. You all helped me to make an incredible semester in the United States.