Mabuhay! Hello!  I am Dhane Miguelle Varela, you can call me Dhane or Miguelle depending on what is easier for you. A quick fact about my first name was inspired by the dog breed Great Dane. I am an international student from the Philippines, before being an international student, I used to be a Student-Athlete.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management in one of the finest universities in Manila, Philippines (Far Eastern University - Manila) and I am a part of the Philippine Handball National Team. Now, I am pursuing an Associate Degree in Pre-Nursing (Public Health) and I am one of the newest international peer mentors at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC).

Why Reno? What to Do in Reno?

Chasing my dream of living in foreign country makes me love Reno, Nevada. As an athlete in the Philippines I was looking for a state that offers a lot of indoor and outdoor activities, and Reno has it. 

A lot of people wonder: Where is Reno? Is it in Las Vegas?

The answer is NO. Reno is far from Las Vegas. Driving from Reno to Las Vegas takes 6–9 hours, depending on stops and the route you take.

Reno is near Lake Tahoe, where you can find ski resorts and lakes to enjoy during the winter and summer seasons.

Reno is called “The Biggest Little City in the World” because of the many events happening every year.

Whether you’re an indoor person (trampoline, bowling, archery) or outdoor person (hiking, camping, swimming), you can truly enjoy Reno.

We have different cuisines — not just American, but also Asian (Korean, Filipino, Indian, Japanese).

We have many international grocery stores in different locations.

You’ll never feel “homesick” or unwelcome because Reno has a diverse community where you can meet people from many nationalities and learn about their cultures. Many international students are around, and they are friendly to everyone.

Difference of Philippine college life and being an international student

I am taking a completely different program, but the transition was not that bad.

Back in the Philippines, I was taking 19–22 units per semester, while here at TMCC I am taking 12 units per semester (3 of which can be done online).

My student setup is totally different.

In the Philippines, I had training and commitment to the National Team while studying, and most of the time I was traveling or competing internationally.

Here at TMCC, I am a student-worker.

What I am proud of is my ability to:

• Organize and prioritize what is most important

• Manage my time as a student and as an athlete/worker

• Perform under pressure

Being in school while having other responsibilities requires strong organization and time management skills.

I always complete my schoolwork first before anything else.

Back in the Philippines, I often had exams, quizzes, and deadlines happening at the same time as international competitions.

When that happened, I organized all important things and finished them as soon as possible.

Now, as a student worker on campus, I make my schedule and weigh tasks to be done daily.

We should always stay calm and ask for advice from others to make things easier.

Hope to see you all soon around the beautiful campus of Truckee Meadows Community College located in Reno, Nevada!

Dhane Miguelle Varela is an international student taking an Associate of Science in Pre-Nursing at Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, Nevada.