Barb Gombosi enjoys the busy life she lives.

She’s taking 12 credit hours, works part time for the athletic department and is also on the tennis team.

But if at any time Gombosi finds herself a little frustrated or a little overwhelmed, she almost always goes back to her personal saying: Ne skrbi ampak bodi specen.

It’s Slovene.

“Don’t worry be happy.”

An international student from Slovenia, Gombosi uses her saying often to keep her going and keep her spirits high.

The hardest thing, besides the distance, the expensive calls and the language barrier, is being away from her family.

“It’s going to be tough, because I have a really good relationship with my mother and my grandparents on my mom’s side,” Gombosi said.

Gombosi, a freshman, attended Arkansas State University in spring 2003, but she was never comfortable with the university. She had looked into Southern before, but was too late for admission requirements for the semester.

“I like Southern more than Arkansas State,” Gombosi said. “I’m glad I’m here.”

The transition has been slow but steady. She took four years of English at her high school, which has helped her communications skills in the United States. It was still difficult, however.

“The slang words are challenging,” she said. “It’s hard for me to catch the little things.”

Jane Posch, women’s tennis coach, said Gombosi has made a good impression so far.

“We’re really glad to have her,” Posch said. “She’s a good addition to our team.”

Posch said she’s not certain where Gombosi will play – doubles or singles. However, she’s not too worried about it.

“She fits right in,” Posch said. “It’s going to be fun having her on the team.”

Gombosi said she enjoys America so far. People’s attitudes here are a little more considerate.

“The people here are different with how they act,” she said. “They try to help if you need it.”

Besides tennis, Gombosi is heavily involved with tae kwan do.

And, she’s good at it, too.

“My coach wanted me to possibly try out for the Olympic team,” she said.

As great of an opportunity as that was, she said her education is more important.

“School now, sports later,” she said.

Gombosi has high hopes for the future.

If things go well, she hopes to attain a master’s degree in psychology and stay and work in the United States.

“It’s not for sure, but we’ll see,” she said.

“For now, I wish to stay here.”