On Jill Koop Liechty’s desk sit stacks of carefully-cut-out inspirational quotes and Bible verses. “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.” –John 1:5 More quotes, photos of her family and keepsakes from her time spent abroad cover the walls of her office in Newcomer Center. “I try to have a theme,” she said. “I think about what quotes or Bible verses would work together.” The bulletin board outside of her office is just as full as the one inside, but this time there are posters of campus events, various announcements and the same cut-out...

By Jordan Waidelich • March 16, 2017 • Features

With her lilting, stunning voice, Prashansa Dickson captivated all of Sauder hall on Saturday as she sang a love song from India, her home country. As an international student, Dickson made a transition from Woodstock School in Mussoorie, India to Goshen College that gives her a unique perspective regarding the international community abroad and at Goshen. “I have been singing since I could talk,” Dickson said. “My mother’s side of the family is full of composers and musicians. A lot of music they have written has imbedded itself into the Christian vernacular of prayer meetings across India and some of...

By Hayley Mann • March 17, 2016 • Features

What made you want to take the leap and go to school in the United States rather than go to school in India? I went to an international boarding school in India. Woodstock School is much closer to an American high school that to an Indian high school. Most of the students who graduate from Woodstock go to American college or British college. It’s mostly because that transition is easier than transitioning into your native country’s college. What was your first time in the U.S. like? I think it should have been a lot scarier than it actually was. I...

By Ashley Davenport • October 15, 2015 • Features

Deeksha Pagar, a first year physics and biochemistry major from India, tells us a little bit a how she is adjusting to life here in the United States, and specifically at Goshen College. Pagar was born and raised in Mumbai, Maharashtra and moved to the United States only 7 months ago. This free spirit is passionate about culture and is eager to know more about different countries and people. This is very apparent from her multilingual abilities. Pagar speaks English, Hindi, French and Marathi, her native tongue. What is it like back home? It is very crowded, fast-paced, hot and...

By Annie Agutu • February 19, 2015 • Features

This Christmas break, juniors Prashansa Dickson and Dechen Tshering will return home for the first time in two and a half years. To get there, they will have to take three or four flights, experience a ten-hour time change and travel for at least twenty-four hours. Tshering and Dickson first met through Woodstock, an international school located just outside New Delhi, India. Tshering’s family lives in Nepal, an hour-and-a-half from New Delhi, but she plans to spend three or four days in India before finally heading home. Although the travel will be long, Dickson and Tshering are more worried about...

By Christina Hofer • December 3, 2014 • Features

Darab Nagarwalla’s purpose in life is to teach young people to be passionate about the environment. Though India is his homeland, for the next three semesters Nagarwalla has chosen to live in Goshen while on sabbatical. He is currently in the process of obtaining his teaching certificate at Goshen College. What do you want to say to introduce yourself? I am a 52-year-old Indian, married with a daughter in grade nine. My wife and daughter continue to be in India while I am here. I am here on sabbatical, working towards my teacher certification in biology through the Transition to...

By Ezra Ocubamichael • February 12, 2014 • Features

As any coffee-addicted college student knows, the Brew is a happening place. But it was more than just a hot drink that led over 130 customers to downtown Goshen’s coffee shop this past Sunday. They were there for the curry. Thushan Hemachandra and his girlfriend, Jill Stoltzfus, were the chefs behind the counter, cooking up plates of jasmine rice, chicken tikka masala, potato curry and eggplant curry. For a little over eight dollars, customers could choose between three large-plate options of Sri Lankan or Indian food. Lines stretched almost to the door, with some patrons waiting for half an hour...

By Kate Stoltzfus • September 28, 2011 • Features