Growing up in Uganda, Rita Musiimenta loved to watch The Disney Channel and Nickelodeon with her siblings and dreamed of having a 鈥淗igh School Musical鈥-esque, American college experience.
In researching schools overseas, Musiimenta was immediately intrigued by the extensive opportunities and cutting-edge facilities offered by the Theatre Department at 海角论坛, where she is now pursuing her acting dreams as an international student.
Why Oneonta?
I had a list of American schools to look into. Being so passionate about theatre, I wanted to have easy access to New York City and Broadway. As much as I desired the city, I also wanted to be somewhere calm. Since I couldn鈥檛 visit in person, I looked at 海角论坛鈥檚 website, social media, YouTube page and TikTok, trying to get a feel for it and see what the students who go there are like. I saw the number of theatre productions that are put on each year and the incredible facilities, and it made sense and felt like the perfect fit!
My Activities
So far, I鈥檝e joined Mask & Hammer (I have a part in The Tempest!), the Equestrian Club (because I really want to ride a horse), WIRE TV (I have my own show!) and WONY. I really want to do Model UN someday, too.
Best Experiences
I like Oneonta a lot. The dining hall food is really good, and the professors are friendly and nice! I always told my dad that I wanted to have a typical American college experience, and I feel like I鈥檓 getting that here. I love that there are so many clubs and societies 鈥 it gives a real university feel. My major is my favorite part.
An extremely positive part of my experience has been the orientation that I went through with my fellow international students before classes. It was such an intentional and intimate time and such a bonding experience. That鈥檚 where I met some good friends who, even when we鈥檙e just running into each other on campus, we say hi and have that common shared experience and bond. It was very well done and made a big difference for me.
About My Major
I find that the Theatre and Art departments here are so well-funded, and that does so much for your confidence and motivation in your studies. The two theatres, the art galleries, the musical instruments and studios we have access to, I鈥檓 just very impressed and happy with my choice to study the arts here. It also feels like a little community, full of interesting people.
Plans, Goals, Dreams
I want to live in New York City and act, direct and produce my own work. That comes naturally to me 鈥 in my free time, I like to write scripts for films and plays. So that鈥檚 definitely something I want to do for my career. Ultimately, I want to go back home to Uganda and build a performing arts school so that I can help other people鈥檚 dreams come true! My family is very excited for me and invested to see where this goes.