February 6, 2002

Local college boasts worldly student body

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
       With 32 international students attending classes, Northwestern Michigan College has the potential to be a magnet of cultural exchange.
      Spending time with any of these students - whose countries of origin span the continents of Africa, Europe, Asia and South America - is an easy lesson in different cultures, languages, politics, geography and family traditions. This is a richness that cannot be duplicated in any textbooks.
      "One percent of our students are international students," said Jim Bensley, an admissions specialist at the college who noted that this year' enrollment of international students is the biggest since the late 1980s. "We are proud of that because it enriches the campus."
      The students live on campus, either in the dorms or apartments, or with host families in the area. Their studies are as varied as their backgrounds: from management to computer graphics to accounting.
      Gevas Moyo of Zimbabwe came to this country this summer to study at both NMC and Davenport College, where he is pursuing a Master's degree. He brought his wife, Florence, and three-year-old daughter with him for his extended stay. Starting his second semester here, he greatly appreciates the benefits of small class size and affordable tuition.
      "What I've enjoyed in some of my classes is the leeway and the interaction between the teachers and students," said Moyo, who has a Bachelor's degree in English, economic history and psychology from the University of Zimbabwe. "The teachers are not in it for the money, they've dedicated their lives to their work."
      During their year or two here, these international students are eager to share about their lives. They plan to hold a series of Brown Bag luncheons to talk about a variety of aspects of their countries of origin.
      "Sharing different traditions is something that needs to be cherished," said Karolina Jasinska of Poland. "Here you have so much diversity and we see our differences as something to cherish."
      However, the students acknowledge that it can be a little discouraging to see the lack of interest in or knowledge about their countries. Sometimes a little humor goes a long way when facing questions about life in Communist Poland or blank stares when talking about the country of Latvia.
      "People ask me where I'm from," said Robert Rieffel of Venezuela. "One person asked if that was in Africa."
      Eric Atugah of Kenya has found people interest in his country and language, along with some unexpected assumptions.
      "People are curious about my language and I just met someone today, an American, who speaks Swahili," Atugah said. "Some people believe we live in the forest, I tell them that we have cities in Kenya."
      Bensley both actively recruits international students, though he noted that word of mouth from current or former students is one of the greatest recruiting tools.
      He is also the campus advisor for the International Students Club. The club, which is open to all students and includes a few American students, arranges a variety of activities. This fall the group traveled to Mackinaw Island and they are planning a trip to Chicago in the spring. Beyond the big adventures, the group regularly enjoys parties, ice skating, tubing and visits to coffeehouses.
      Often, prior experience in this country is the best recommendation for returning for college. Bensley has found that 40 percent of this year's international students are former exchange students who attended an American high school.
      Jasinska is also a former exchange student who lived with a host family in Kingsley during the 1998-1999 school year. She returned to this country to attend NMC in 2000 and will graduate with an Associate's of Science degree in May.
      "My host mother noticed I had a strong academic interest and she encouraged me to tour NMC, see the classrooms and meet the instructors," Jasinska recalled. "Also, I found out I could apply for a biology scholarship and that is what I wanted."
      For Gigi Yang, returning to her native Hong Kong after spending last year in Traverse City as an exchange student had one huge drawback: she faced two more years of high school before she could even consider college. After graduating from Traverse City St. Francis High School last spring, she decided to return to the area in the fall to attend NMC and jump-start her higher education.
      "A few months before leaving, I started to think about coming back," said Yang, who hopes to become a veterinarian. "My family, they just love America and they always say, 'Gigi, if you have a chance, stay in America and get an education."