International Alumni Catching up with grads around the globe
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NAME: Edmund Shah Tambi FROM: Kuching, Malaysia DEGREE: Master of Education in instructional leadership, 2010 LIFE AFTER NKU: Lecturer at National Institute of Educational Management and Leadership under the Malaysian Ministry of Education edmund writes: “Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak, Malaysia’s largest state situated on the island of Borneo. For many tourists, riding a sampan along the Sarawak River is an unforgettable experience. From the river you can get a spectacular view of the Malay Kampungs [villages] with a gorgeous mountainous background. You also get to see a far distant view of the 19th-century Chinese shop houses, the Malay mosque, the square tower, the attractive Margherita Fort, and the recently completed, beautifully built majestic State Legislative Council building. “I first heard of NKU from the Sarawak state education director who at that time knew about the university from a visit he made a few years before. Prior to coming to NKU I had an idea of how life in the United States was like, and I had a good idea of how college life was like. However, this time around I was coming to the USA with my wife and 3-year-old son. They were the ones who had a bit of a culture shock upon arrival! Prior to flying into the USA, we heard so many things about USA and Muslims, but upon arrival all those misconceptions that we heard were just not true since we were welcomed warmly by everyone whom we met. “My son had the best times of his life. He had only heard and read about the four seasons, Halloween, Disneyland, cowboys, and all that stuff prior to coming to the USA. But upon arrival he was so excited to see and touch snow and for the first time making a snowman. He was also happy to celebrate Halloween the first
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Frederick Odame
time and was involved in the Halloween-related events organized by the university. It was the time of his life when we brought him to Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida. Nowadays he always asks us when we are going to go back to the USA. “There are so many favorite memories and experiences that I had. I remember the day of commencement when I graduated and received my [diploma] from the NKU president himself on that cold winter’s day in 2010. Not many people in Malaysia can boast and say that they walked up the stage in their moment of glory while it was snowing outside. I had that experience and pictures to prove how wonderful it felt to wear the graduation attire with the snow falling around and my family next to me. Priceless. “Many people ask me, ‘Of all places, why come to Highland Heights?’ My answer, as usual, is ‘Because one of the best universities in the Midwest is located there. It’s called Northern Kentucky University. Ever heard of it?’ I never regretted my decision to come, live, and study at NKU. Not a moment of regret. In fact, it was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.”