By Alana Burton / Staff Writer

For many students, attending a small-town college can offer a different experience than the massive campuses and cities usually associated with university life. At Missouri Valley College, students say living and studying in Marshall, Missouri, comes with both advantages and challenges, from close-knit communities to limited entertainment options.

For international students, adjusting to the small campus environment can be a major transition. Freshman Uzair Nabi, who recently transferred from a university in Scotland, said the atmosphere at Missouri Valley is different from his previous experience.

“An advantage of a smaller campus is that you get to see everyone. I’ve been here eight weeks now, and I’ve met a lot of different cultures and people.” Nabi said. 

Nabi said the campus layout also makes daily life easier. Because classes and facilities are located close together, students are less likely to get lost or run late compared to a larger university.

However, he noted that a smaller campus can also have limitations.

“It’s very limited in academic degrees and majors,” said Nabi. 

Some students say they have adapted to the smaller environment over time. Duda Bertholdo, a senior international student from Brazil who has attended Missouri Valley for three years, said the campus has improved during her time at the college.

She pointed to additions such as new dining options, a convenience store and building renovations.

“The convenience store is really useful,” Bertholdo said. “As an international student, I don’t have a car, so having that here makes things easier when I need something quickly.”

At the same time, Bertholdo said the close campus community can sometimes feel intrusive.

“It’s like living in a building,” she said. “Everybody knows everybody, and everybody hears about what everybody is doing.”

For other students, the smaller campus creates opportunities for social connections that might not happen as easily at a larger school. Swere Ndika, a third-year junior, said the environment helps students get to know one another because they see each other so frequently.

“You see people every day,” Ndika said. “You’re running into a bunch of people even before you meet them, so you already kind of know somebody, even if you don’t know them yet.”

Ndika said campus spaces such as the Malcolm Center gym have helped him build connections with other students.

“A lot of the people I met my freshman year were because I played basketball,” Ndika said. “When I go to Malcolm and play, I meet a lot of different people and build connections.”

Despite challenges such as limited entertainment options and the smaller campus environment, students say the experience can still be rewarding for those willing to adapt.

“If you’re coming here, you really need to be diverse in your interests and find new ways to have fun that aren’t typical in a bigger city,” Ndika said.

For many students, that mindset helps define life at a small college in Marshall.