
Butler Community College is extending a heartfelt invitation to El Dorado residents and surrounding areas to join them in the upcoming Wichita Heart Walk on Saturday,...
1 | Many students from outside of the United States experience variety of climates in Kansas. As students traveled back to their home countries or around the States for winter break, temperatures began to drop significantly.
Alex Robson, a first-year exercise science student, comes from Scotland. Robson plays soccer here at Butler.
“I decided to come here because I heard great things about Butler,” Robson said. “My first thought about El Dorado was that it was a nice small place where I felt comfortable straight away,”
Scotland can be known for its rugged landscapes. There are many historic sites where things like fishing, hiking and skiing can be done. In Kansas, you can also do these but, the scenery is quite different.
“Kansas is completely different from Scotland. Kansas is extremely hot at times, and I have never been in heat like that before, Scotland is also a rainy country, so it is a very green and colorful place with beautiful countryside and mountains while I have not seen the same thing here in Kansas,” Robson said.
Playing sports during the heat in Kansas can be a struggle for many athletes, especially if they are not used to the midwestern summers.
“I wasn’t used to the heat in the summer, and I’m definitely not used to the freezing temperatures, but it is quite refreshing after the hot summer.” said Robson “I didn’t love playing soccer in the summer; with that heat it was almost impossible to run around like I needed to.”
Second year exercise science major, Chevy Edwards, comes from Melbourne, Australia to play football.
“Kansas is extremely flat and gets extremely cold,” says Edwards. “El Dorado is a quiet town, the Midwest people have been very welcoming, and they love their farming.”
Edwards went back home to Melbourne during winter break.
“I went camping, surfing and caught up with family and friends. Edward said. “It was relaxing in the heat as it is summer for Xmas here.”
Zonia Marshall, first-year exercise science student comes from St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean to play soccer.
Marshalls first initial thought of Kansas was not what she expected it would be.
“I was shocked because I have been to other states in the United States, it was not what I expected” Marshall said. “Kansas is different, it gives me country vibes,”
Marshall didn’t think it was going to get as cold as it did.
“I had to get outside to get food but if I didn’t have to, I probably would’ve stayed inside” Marshall said. “I prefer warmer weather.”
Living in warmth with nearby beaches sounds like a dream, leaving that can be difficult. For Marshall, she felt like there was not much to do in El Dorado.
“One thing I like about El Dorado is that it’s safe and also a really quiet place” Marshall said.
During winter break, Marshall went to Vancouver.
“I spent time with family, visited different cities and did some shopping” Marshall said.
From the beautiful landscapes of Scotland, the coastal warmth of Australia and the hot tropical Caribbean to the inconsistent weather of Kansas, these students navigate the diverse Kansas climates with resilience and adaptability.
Butler Community College is extending a heartfelt invitation to El Dorado residents and surrounding areas to join them in the upcoming Wichita Heart Walk on Saturday,...
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