Keuka College is deeply rooted in the Finger Lakes. For more than 135 years, we’ve focused on nurturing local talent and strengthening the communities we call home. At the same time, global learning has long been part of who we are.
Through the Field Period® internship program, study abroad partnerships, Alternative Spring Break trips, and degree programs offered with partner institutions in Vietnam, Keuka College students engage with the world well beyond campus.
That exchange goes both ways. Students from across the globe choose the shores of Keuka Lake as their academic home, and nearly 10% of our on-campus undergraduate population comes from outside the United States.
Here are three of them.
Esme Romualdo: Building Confidence on the Pre-Dental Path
Esmeralda Romualdo is a junior Biology major on the pre-dental track. She’s from Tlacoachistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, and discovered Keuka College while searching for schools in New York State. From her first conversations during the application process to her arrival on campus overlooking Keuka Lake, she felt supported at every step.
Esme is already turning academic interests into hands-on experience. Through volunteer work and observation hours at a dental office in Geneva, she’s gaining firsthand insight into patient-centered care. She welcomes patients, helps ease anxiety, and sees how clear, compassionate communication shapes the clinical experience.
One of her biggest challenges has been tackling advanced science coursework in a second language. Supportive faculty and strong peer relationships have helped her stay on track academically while building confidence along the way.
“Keuka College’s support system helped me find my confidence, both in the classroom and on my path to dentistry.”
Huining Gao: A Fresh Start in a Close-Knit Community
Huining Gao is a first-year student majoring in Business Management. Originally from Shenzhen in southern China, she learned about Keuka College through a university partnership program and chose to enroll after earning a scholarship to complete her studies on campus.
What stood out right away was the learning environment. Small class sizes and accessible professors made it easier to ask questions, participate in discussions, and build confidence while adjusting to college life in the U.S.
Outside the classroom, Huining has found connection through everyday routines. She attends weekly yoga sessions and campus baking events, where students gather to make desserts together. As she navigates a major transition, from adapting to a colder climate to forming new friendships, she’s giving herself time and space to settle in.
“Keuka College’s calm campus environment and small classes made it feel like the right place to start this next chapter.”
Wyatt Ernst: Finding Community in the Finger Lakes
Wyatt Ernst is a senior majoring in Unified Childhood Education. He grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and was drawn to Keuka College for its strong education program, hands-on learning through Field Period internships, and the opportunity to compete as a student-athlete on the baseball team.
Through Field Period experiences in both general and special education settings, Wyatt has built classroom-ready skills by working directly with students and teachers. Alongside his academic work, he has balanced the demands of NCAA Division III athletics, spending last season on the field with the Wolves.
Arriving from Canada meant adjusting to a new country and a new campus culture. Wyatt credits KC’s close-knit community with helping him settle in quickly. Outside of class, he has embraced the Finger Lakes lifestyle, exploring parks, trails, and lakes that are now part of his routine.
“Keuka College’s people and environment made me feel like I truly belonged.”
Learn Locally. Act Globally.
Keuka College offers a welcoming lakeside campus in New York’s Finger Lakes, with experiential learning through Field Period across more than 30 majors and minors. Students build community through athletics and more than 40 clubs, along with plenty of lakeside traditions.
KC is often more affordable than expected. Ninety-eight percent of students receive financial aid, and international students may be eligible for merit scholarships of up to $28,000 per year, as well as special grants.
