Photo taken by Jack Peeples
All international students need a place to fit in and call home. They need a community that allows them to succeed in many facets of life, such as school, work, relationships, etc. Filip Serban, a graduate student at the University of Oregon studying prevention science, certainly found a place where he could succeed in his academic and athletic aspirations. The 25-year-old chose the University of Oregon because he was offered a Fulbright scholarship that only some students receive. He specifically chose prevention science as his field of study because it was the one program that allowed him to figure out how to prevent mental diseases from an early age.
“I was tired of the old approach that involved just doing therapy in a one-on-one session or taking medications for depression,” said Serban
Serban wanted to find a new approach to improving someone’s mental state to display better results and ensure permanent changes. The master’s program in prevention science would focus on helping children who struggle with a mental disease while they are young rather than wait till they reach Adulthood. One of the most outstanding assignments Serban is currently working on is assessing the readiness of Romanian high schools and how they check on a student’s well-being.
What keeps Serban going every day is a moral compass that guides him. Some values that help Serban are divine guidance, love, and faith. Filip is a strong follower of Christianity and believes that god has a plan for everyone. He also promotes love as a way of contributing to the positive development of a person’s well-being. Faith makes Serban believe that everything will work out in the end.
“Maybe life is rough right now but it won’t stay like this forever,” said Serban.
Serban feels that it is a privilege for every international student who has the opportunity to study in the United States. His main message to the international students who are given the chance to be in a place far from home is that they take every day seriously.
“If you want to excel and use your degree to reach your dream, you must study up and focus,” said Serban.
Serban also wants international students to make as many connections as possible. Once an international student has found their tribe or people they are comfortable around, this is the time to get close to them.
“Be attentive and selective about the people you spend time with,” said Serban.
Serban is an advocate for not only mental health but also physical health. Serban is an active member of the rowing team at the University of Oregon. Every day except for Sunday, Serban and his crew wake up at 4:30 AM and go to practice either at the Macarthur court with a rowing machine or at one of the lakes in Oregon. Serban likes being part of the rowing team because it teaches him accountability. Every time a member screws up, it is on them.
“Knowing that there is a whole team waiting for me makes me more motivated to show up on time and be prepared,” said Serban.
After graduation, Serban hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in prevention science at the University of Miami. Serban also wants to give back to his country through his education by improving children’s mental health. It is only a matter of time before Serban accomplishes these goals.
If you want to learn more about Filip Serban, check out his LinkedIn down below.
International Affairs by Jack Peeples 
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