Blackburn College students are welcomed from many states and countries by the staff and current students.
Freshman criminal justice major Trent Smith came from Palmerston North, New Zealand. Smith was born in Levin, New Zealand and this is his first time visiting the United States. He got accepted to play basketball at Blackburn College and came for the good team.
He stated that there are not many colleges in New Zealand that offer criminal justice as a major. Smith likes that Blackburn College is located in a small town. Smith has practiced playing basketball since he was thirteen years old and went on a team when he was fifteen.
Smith states, “At Blackburn College I want to make the most of the cultural change, play basketball and get good grades.’’ Smith is glad he made the choice to come to Blackburn College and likes how the United States is bigger than New Zealand.
Freshman sports management major Nick Tarrant is from Melbourne, Australia and has visited the United States four times. He previously came to the United States three times with his family for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. Tarrant enjoys Blackburn College and chose it because he likes the basketball program.
He enjoys playing basketball and playing his Playstation Four. Tarrants’ goals are to get a 4.0 grade point average and to be a better basketball player. Tarrant stated that he likes the family environment and how natural all the parks are in Australia.
When asking Tarrant about what he likes best about Blackburn College, he stated that the people are very welcoming and friendly.
Tarrant and Smith are trying to adjust to living on campus in the United States. Both Tarrant and Smith are glad to be a part of the basketball team and at the college.