Students, families, faculty and administrators came together Sunday afternoon to witness the Boston University Class of 2019 officially begin their college careers. Approximately 3,400 incoming freshmen sat together in Agganis Arena and were officially matriculated as students.

Boston University President Robert Brown welcomed the fresh faces to the school, emphasizing the diversity and opportunities at BU.

“With hard work you will succeed academically. But you will make the most of your time here if you engage with the greater community,” said Brown. “I believe you’ll find what you need here at Boston University, where the composition of the student body as well as faculty and staff is increasingly diverse and international. We have the opportunity to find ways that transcend seeing differences.“

As more than 20 percent of the incoming freshmen are international students coming from 74 different countries, BU is opening itself to the largest international student body ever, said BU spokesman Colin Riley.

At matriculation, Brown showcased BU as a global institution that can broaden students’ horizons through diversity. He ended his speech by inspiring the incoming freshmen to make a difference in the world.

“Traditionally in commencement, I tell the graduating class to go into the world and make it a better place for humankind,” he said. “I would like you, the entering freshmen class, our graduating class of 2019, to think about what this assignment means to you.”

BU Student Government President Andrew Cho also spoke to the incoming freshmen. Cho spoke of his own experiences as a freshman, coming into a “whirlwind of experiences” and finding a sense of self.

“I am thrilled to join in the chorus of people and things welcoming you all to BU,” the College of Arts and Sciences senior told the audience. “I arrived eager to seize the independence that college promised me. But what I encountered at BU tore down my identity, and I am grateful for it. For all of us, our sense of self, our identity, is bound to stretch and grow during our time in college.”

Cho told students and families that as his college years went by, he discovered more about himself and his values. A balanced life and appreciation of solitude, he said, were the ways he achieved self-discovery.

“My hope is that during your time as an [undergraduate student] at BU, you would find the space to ask yourself questions of identity,” Cho said. “Because of the wealth of diversity at BU, these questions will invite different perspectives and worldviews from your peers and faculty.”

Cho said it is critical for freshmen to find their place at BU and commit to the things that are important to them.

“It’s best to find things to be dedicated to and investing and appreciating those times,” he said after the ceremony. “I hope [the freshmen] won’t be discouraged and will be open-minded to what they can do at BU. I hope they continue collaborating and finding their place. I know it’s overwhelming and I hope to help the freshman connect to where they are needed.”

Several students in the Class of 2019 said while coming to BU can be overwhelming, they are eager to begin college life in Boston.

“I would say I am most nervous about taking difficult classes and trying to balance everything. I am really excited about meeting new people and to be living in Boston,” said Kirsten Turnbull, a freshman in CAS. “I am also excited to join different clubs and participate in school activity.”

Katie DiClemente, a freshman in the College of Communication, said that there is a lot she hopes to do in the city and that she looks forward to a variety of experiences.

“I am excited to try out all the new clubs and be in Boston, having never lived in the city. I just want to try a bunch of new things [and] create a balance,” she said. “There’s so much to do. I want a lot of great experiences, a great education and a bunch of internships.”

Olivia Calabrese, a freshman in CAS, said that going to such an urban college encourages her to try new things.

“Surely I’m excited just to be in Boston and getting to experience the city. I’ve never lived in a city before and I can’t wait,” she said. “I’m really nervous about chemistry, it seems really intense.”

Sekar Krisnauli contributed reporting.