PA provides international students with a chance to gain a new perspective on American culture

Mandisa - Class of 2010 East London, South Africa

Mandisa's first impressions of the U.S. came from her most accessible source—television shows like Laguna Beach and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

"I had a huge stereotype of America. I thought it was just pop culture versus politics, but coming to Andover has completely changed that," says Mandisa. Arriving at Phillips Academy as a first year Lower from South Africa, Mandisa acclimated herself to an open and accepting community, easily making friends in her dorm and broadening her view of the world.

Mandisa quickly became excited with the variety of activities on campus and joined SLAM, International Club, and Hypnotiq, PA's hip-hop dance team. She is grateful for the opportunities to express her creative talents and has been able to find a balance between extracurriculars and academics. To achieve her goal of attending one of the colleges on her short list—Columbia, Georgetown, Princeton or Stanford—Mandisa knows she will have to work hard while enjoying the support around her. "It's great to be at a place where people really do care."