New Zealand native Tommy Steele ’27M is no stranger to experiencing culture shock. Now a graduate student at UNCW, Steele is living and learning nearly 9,000 miles from his hometown of Waihi, New Zealand. Steele has always had a desire to travel, connect with people and immerse himself in new cultures.
“I always wanted to get a different perspective about life and see another country,” said Steele. “I was hoping to see a different view, different life, different values.”
While Steele was ready to immerse himself in the unknown, his family needed time to adjust to the idea of him living halfway across the world.
“My sister wasn’t too happy about it. My dad was a little bit reluctant to begin with as well. But in the end, they all warmed up to it,” said Steele. “It was a little bit of an adjustment for them.”
Since his time at the university, Steele has gotten the new perspective on life he was looking for through meeting and connecting with UNCW and fellow international students. Through these friendships, he has discovered a sense of community that has both surprised and inspired him.
“It feels like the U.S. and Americans have a lot more togetherness,” he said. “Whether its running around the flag at sporting events or the huge crowds at the basketball games – everyone is so friendly and nice.”
That spirit of unity motivated Steele to give back. Determined to help other international students connect with the UNCW community like he was able to, he became a Global Student Ambassador (GSA) for the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). As a GSA, he helps plan events and create welcoming spaces for students navigating the same uncertainty he once faced.
“I know what it’s like to first arrive off the plane, come here, and experience a wild culture shock,” said Steele. “We just plan events for international students who arrive and try to create a space where they can get to know each other.”
Working with OISS, Steele has seen the impact a strong, welcoming community can have on international students’ confidence, personal growth and overall college experience.
“They’re quiet at the start and not too sure about how things work, who they can talk to, who their friends are, what’s out there, what services are available – things like that – but I go around and make a few jokes and they warm up. It’s good to see,” he said.
Beyond his involvement on campus, Steele is pursuing a master’s degree in higher education through the Watson College of Education. Transforming his experiences into a calling, he hopes to use his degree to help students make the most of their academic journeys, just as he has.
“I have developed a strong passion for education, as it is a vehicle with the potential to enhance people’s lives and provide plentiful knowledge and career opportunities. Specifically, I would like to be involved with international student relations and work as an exchange coordinator at a university. It’s been a passion of mine, seeing people evolve, adapt and become more comfortable with being in a foreign culture.”
