This is a very exciting time for most parents. Your children are ready to leave the nest, move across the wide ocean, and attend a university of your choice. There are many questions and uncertainties that are probably in your minds. My wife and I had these same feelings over 2 years ago. After doing our research of many American universities, we were impressed with Ohio Wesleyan University. There were many reasons that made us feel this way. The most important to us was the interaction between parent, student, and faculty. I strongly feel this was our deciding factor for selecting this university for our only child. The help we have received in the past couple of years has helped to make our lives without our son a little more comfortable. My biggest recommendation to a new student’s parents is to use the Ohio Wesleyan University Web site. It will answer most of your questions. A few times, I had to call personally to the university and my questions were answered quickly and to the point. If you have any questions regarding Ohio Wesleyan University, feel free to contact my family through e-mail at any time. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you luck and happiness with your possible selection of Ohio Wesleyan University for your child.

Nazneen Lilauwala and Family, Hong Kong

What can I write about OWU?

Thinking out loud, here goes a top-of-my-head try for the advantages of going to OWU:

1. Small classes.
2. Great faculty.
3. Encourages thinking.

Why OWU?

We asked the same question fours years ago when our oldest son started the College Hunting Process. Having been a global nomad for the majority of his life, living in small communities and attending institutions with rigorous curriculums, individualized attention, diversified cultures, caring faculty that promoted intellectual curiosity and ethical behavior, a perfect college match seemed remote at first sight. Other than having the knowledge of his compassion and interest for animals, initially our question was not only “How do we start?” but “Where do we start?”

Firstly, the US liberal arts educational philosophy seemed very appealing to our son. He liked the thought of a broad based knowledge and understanding of the humanities, sciences and the arts cultivated with critical thinking and fostering a lifetime of learning.

Secondly, we asked ourselves, “Is it possible to combine all of this into one package embracing a distinctive style of undergraduate education in a small residential, caring community and yet be in close proximity to a larger city and international airport when necessary?”

The simple answer was “Yes”. It became fairly obvious as we came down to the bottom of the College Hunting process that OWU was clearly at the top.

And today, with yet another son joining the ranks of the OWU Class of 2011, we have never looked back. It has been a great feeling to know that the OWU faculty of scholars of today are devoted to helping the young scholars of tomorrow, mentors who for many will become their valued friends for life.

As a parent, I am very pleased with OWU’s valuable liberal arts education. Ohio Wesleyan offers an all-inclusive learning environment beyond classroom context that helped groom Amy for the real world after college. It lays a solid foundation for not only the technical skills, but also communication and analytical skills, self confidence, ethics, and social responsibilities—all of which are essential ingredients of self independence and leadership.

My daughter Nianci Su went to Ohio Wesleyan University in 2002. Four years later, she graduated with a BA in International Business and University Honor. In 2006, she decided to further her education at London School of Economics and Political Science by pursuing a Master degree in Law and Society. She completed her MSc degree in December 2007 and now works for a management consultancy company in London.

Providing children with an exceptional intellectual journey has always been a tradition and the foremost focus among many Chinese families. As parents, we want our daughter to be able to benefit from the best education that is available. After considering a few colleges that Nianci has been accepted into, we decided that Ohio Wesleyan University is the one that would tailor its education into Nianci’s individual and intellectual development. Ohio Wesleyan University truly respects students’ interests and talents. It draws highly qualified young people across the world and creates an intellectual and cultural cradle where ideas and values can be confronted and challenged; nurtured and polished. Through Nianci’s four years at Ohio Wesleyan, we are very proud to see how a small girl who has never lived outside of China has gradually grown into a promising and grounded young lady. Nianci has truly optimized herself and well prepared her future while at Ohio Wesleyan University.

It has been two years since Nianci graduated; yet looking back, her mother and I still greatly appreciate all the efforts and guidance that Ohio Wesleyan University has provided. We will genuinely recommend this school to anyone who is looking for nothing but an extraordinary education that’s second to none.