The way to UK: International student trades rainforest for Bluegrass

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 19, 2024) — Since eighth grade, Dana Thalman has dreamed of attending college outside of her home country of Costa Rica. Five years later, that dream became a reality for Thalman, who is now a first-year interior design student in the University of Kentucky College of Design. 

Thalman’s decision to complete her degree abroad was fueled by her long-standing desire to experience new cultures and to fulfill a lifelong family dream. 

“I got super lucky when it came to talking to my mom about this decision, because studying abroad was her dream too,” Thalman said. “But she didn’t get the chance to accomplish it, so she was super supportive of me carrying out that dream for the both of us. She was always there to help me throughout every step of the process from applying to schools to finding scholarships.” 

Thalman applied to schools in both the United States and Europe, receiving acceptance letters to universities in Italy, Spain and the U.S. Proximity to her family remained a priority, making the U.S. the more practical choice. 

Thalman’s mother also played a role in connecting her to UK. Through her work at a high school back in Costa Rica, Thalman’s mother met a college counselor who happened to be friends with an international student advisor at UK. Seizing this opportunity, Thalman connected with the advisor and began exploring UK as a potential future home. 

 “Everything flowed perfectly,” she said, describing how she navigated the application process, secured scholarships and eventually made the decision to attend UK.  

Thalman’s decision to attend UK was further solidified by the College of Design’s new state-of-the-art facility, the Gray Design Building. The modern facilities, combined with the program’s focus on creativity, appealed to her desire to learn and grow as a designer. 

“When I saw pictures of everything the building offered, I knew I needed to go there,’” she said. “The building is not only beautiful, but also a place for innovation, collaboration and access to the latest and greatest resources in the field.” 

One of the easier decisions Thalman made in her journey was her choice to pursue interior design. A summer program she attended before college, where she took courses in interior design and photography, solidified her commitment to this field, but her interest in a creative career has much deeper roots. She comes from a family of creatives — architects, sculptors, and musicians — and has always found joy in art and self-expression. 

“We’re all creative in our own way,” she said. “I play the guitar, and I love to draw. I think of interior design as another way to express myself, but this way I can turn that creativity into a career.” 

While Thalman has only been at UK for a few months, she has already embraced the creative challenges of her design coursework, particularly in the first-year interior design student studio.  

“I love that my professors let us open our minds and use a lot of creativity,” she said, finding joy in the balance between instructor guidance and creative independence in the studio. 

Despite her passion for her studies and living abroad, transitioning from Costa Rica to Lexington wasn’t without its challenges. Luckily, Thalman said she has found a welcoming international community at UK.  

“There’s a huge community of international students, including about 30 people from my country,” she said. “It’s very nice to have people from my country here; it makes me feel more comfortable.”  

College of Design faculty, staff and students — as well as the collaborative nature of design courses — also made a significant difference in easing her transition to the U.S.  

“At first, it was kind of difficult for me socializing with my classmates,” Thalman said. “Since many of them had already met at their orientations or had shared experiences being from the U.S., I felt like I had some catching up to do when it came to making friends. But the class group work has pushed me to get to know them better and now I feel like I am not only a part of my classes, but I’m actually bringing a unique and valuable perspective to the program.” 

Thalman has also taken on a role as an international student ambassador, helping others navigate the process she once faced. The role allows her to connect with other international students and offer them the guidance she valued in her own journey to UK. 

“This is a place where it’s okay to ask for help,” Thalman said. “You do not have to navigate things alone. There are people and resources here to help and support you in whatever way you need. Whether it’s just talking to an international student ambassador from your home country or meeting with a financial advisor to discuss scholarship options, you don’t have to be afraid to ask for advice or help.” 

As Thalman looks ahead to the future, she has big goals in mind. She hopes to participate in an internship or exchange program before she graduates, and then pursue her master’s degree in Europe. In the long run, she dreams of working for a major design company — or even starting her own. 

For Thalman, studying at UK is more than an academic pursuit — it’s the realization of a dream and the beginning of an adventure that blends creativity, culture and connection. As she navigates her new life in Kentucky, she remains determined to make the most of every opportunity, bringing her unique perspective to the UK community and building a foundation for her future in interior design. 

To learn more about the resources available for international students at UK, visit https://international.uky.edu/. To learn more about the UK College of Design, visit https://design.uky.edu/.