Meet Ezerina Hyseni

Ezerina is no stranger to big changes. Moving from the European nation of Kosovo to Aberdeen, South Dakota as a teenager, she quickly learned that she’d have to put some effort into meeting people and making friends in such a new environment.

“Obviously, it was a pretty big culture shock,” she laughs. “But, as I started to meet some amazing people there, I realized I can adapt to change really well.”

Her decision to come to Nebraska—a campus where she didn’t know a single person—reinforced her confidence to face the unknown and adapt in the face of change.

“When it was time to apply to colleges, I realized I wanted to get out of my comfort zone again,” she explains, citing Nebraska’s @unlpolisci department and @unlcollegeoflaw as big differentiators for her college decision. “I knew Nebraska would be another big change for me, but I also knew it would help me grow even more and help me reach my goals of becoming a lawyer.”

Driven by a desire to strengthen her community on campus while also building it from scratch, she sought out as many involvements as she could—from Greek life and student government to being a student ambassador for @unlcas—to connect with other Huskers.

“One thing I’ve quickly realized is that you can find your place everywhere on campus—the more you seek out, the more you really feel like you belong here,” she says. “I've seen the most change that I've ever seen in my life and in myself since arriving here.”

Of course, not every friendship comes through involvement—some of Ezerina’s best friends have come from everyday moments of campus life.

“The people I’ve met from just living in my dorm—friends that live next door and down the hall—those relationships have really helped me because they just came from completely random interactions.”

“There are just good people here; people that care about the same things as you, people that you share the same values with. If it’s meant to be and you put yourself out there, you will meet them.”

Ezerina Hyseni is a first-year political science major from Aberdeen, SD. To share your story or nominate a friend, email social@unl.edu.