SPRING 2016
WHAT’S INSIDE: STEM OPT EXTENSION
UPDATE ISV SPOTLIGHT AWARD
ISABELA MOLITOR SILVA FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE OF PARIS NOV. 13, 2015 ATTACKS
STUDYING IN
AMERICA
as a
MUSLIM STUDENT STUDENTS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES STUDYING IN THE COUNTRY.
International Student Voice Magazine | Spring 2016
WELCOME FROM THE ISV MAGAZINE TEAM International Student Voice (ISV) Magazine is for students, by students. If you’re an international student studying in the U.S. or an American student studying abroad, this magazine is for you. You share the experiences and we provide scholarships and news that is important to you. Find stories on our website and read the magazine each fall and spring.
SHARE YOUR STORY WITH ISV MAGAZINE! Hi, my name is Mara Heinold and I have been an international student for one year at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. Going to a university in America is in general a great way to meet new people, make new friends and experience the typical American culture, not only as a tourist but also as a part-time citizen. Being included in such a community as the one at Otterbein made me feel welcome in the first moments when I arrived on campus in August 2015. Due to its size with aprox. 3000 students, Otterbein has a family-like atmosphere in which you as an exchange student are going to feel welcomed, I promise. After my first two weeks on campus, I believe, nearly 30 percent of the students knew my name and 60 percent knew that I was the German exchange student which surprised me
positively. At first I was a little bit worried about how to fit into the classes though I learned English in school for about 12 years in advance but after a few classes I realized that students and professors were very kind and helpful when it came to language problems. (One time I even wrote something in German on a test because I could not think of the English word and my professor translated it and gave me full credit!) Westerville in which the campus is located is a beautiful small town with little unique shops and the BEST donut bakery. So you can see that donut runs at 1:30 in the morning were one of the many night activities you can do there. Not having a car and being able to drive everywhere I want by myself was at first a little bit problematic but after I made friends they basically drove
me around wherever I wanted to go. So basically I had my designated drivers and the best excuse not being able to drive. Overall I can only recommend studying in the U.S. either for one year or for longer not only because of the great atmosphere but also to experience and live in a different culture than yours. You will experience things you would have never experienced at home, I promise!!
Share your story at www.isvmag.com/submitstory
BRAND NEW ISV MAGAZINE WEBSITE!
VISIT US WWW.ISVMAG.COM
Mara Heinold, Germany, Otterbein University
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International Student Voice Magazine
CONTENT: International Student Voice Magazine | Spring 2016
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Welcome and Share Your Story!
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Studying in America as a Muslim Student: Stories from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and China
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Students Enjoy Reading ISV Magazine
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ISVMAG Margaret W. Wong Scholarship Winner
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Favorite Recipes: Mexico
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ISV Spotlight Award: Isabela Molitor Silva
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Apply for Our Microscholarships
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STEM OPT Extension Increased to 24 Months
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Have Fun! Around the World Word Find
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Record Number of International Students
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Insurance with International Student Protection
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Revolutionalizing High-Speed Travel
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Thank You to Our Supporters!
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The French Reaction to the November 13th Terror
STUDENTS ENJOY READING
ISV MAGAZINE!
Mya Ye Nandar, featured in the fall 2015 issue of ISV Magazine takes a photo with Jim Mellon, Director of International Student Services & Intercultural Education at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. “I am so thankful that ISV Magazine has taken an interest in my journey. It is so motivating!” READ MORE STUDENT TESTIMONIALS AT www.isvmag.com www.isvmag.com
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International Student Voice Magazine | Spring 2016
NEVER GIVE UP! By: Adila Wahdat, Afghanistan Adila was selected as the winner of the ISV Magazine Margaret W. Wong Scholarship for spring 2016 and received $500. Read her winning essay below.
I am a sophomore at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) pursuing my undergraduate degree in digital media. I came to the United States from Afghanistan to attend university so I could reach my goal of becoming a leader in graphic and digital design in my country. I will return there after I graduate. I see myself as an entrepreneur who will change the future for other young Afghan women. My vision is to establish a private institution in Kabul for female students who are passionate about digital media. I will create a safe and inspiring educational environment with leading-edge technology and expert female instructors. I will be a role model for girls who want to pursue the same path that I have followed. Young Afghan women have many talents but it is difficult for them to develop their skills. With my education from EMU I will be able to teach and mentor Afghan girls to help them achieve their dreams. I was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. When I was five-years-old my family fled to Pakistan to escape the severe civil war that was raging just before the Taliban took over the country. I grew up as a refugee in Pakistan with my six siblings and my parents. My family returned to Afghanistan in 2006 with the hope to live in peace in our home country. I’m lucky to have a family who values education for both girls and boys. Still, growing up in Pakistan and Afghanistan I faced many issues as a girl, where the cultures are extremely discriminatory against girls and women. Those challenges and how I have addressed them shaped me as a person and taught me the importance of holding onto my dream, pursuing that dream with focus and discipline, and taking a leadership role for other young Afghan women. My dream is to be a professional graphic and digital media designer. However, in my culture, this is not considered an appropriate field of study for girls. There are virtually no women in this field in Afghanistan so I had no role models or easy educational paths to follow. Despite this obstacle I did not give up. 4
International Student Voice Magazine
I attended two different schools in Kabul that offered classes in graphic and digital media design. In both schools I was the only girl among classrooms full of male students and I was the most committed student. I was not welcomed by my male classmates, but I never let that become an obstacle between me and my dream. Every time I stepped into the classrooms filled with boys, I reminded myself of the love and commitment I have for digital media and my dream to develop myself as a professional in the field. My commitment and love kept me inspired to surmount the difficulties I faced. Eventually, one of the schools hired me as an instructor. Soon young women heard that I was teaching and this attracted more female students to the school. As I witnessed the increase in female enrollment, I realized that many young women share my passion for digital media, graphic design, and web design; but because of our conservative culture and the strict division between men and women, they do not feel comfortable seeking professional support from male instructors. This motivated me to become a role model and help these young women achieve their dream careers. To fulfill my aspiration of becoming an expert in digital media design in 2014 I applied and was accepted to Eastern Mennonite University (EMU). EMU has been my dream university. It has a sophisticated digital media program and
a friendly environment for students from diverse backgrounds like me. Now that I have been in the U.S. and at EMU for three semesters I feel more empowered and I enjoy the transformation that I have been going through. In Afghanistan, girls are supposed to be shy; their voices are hardly heard. A quiet girl is considered a “good Afghan girl”. However, I realized that it is different in the U.S.; my voice matters. I can share my opinion, question my teachers, and share my experience. I started finding my voice and valuing my voice, which is precious to me. I believe that building my professional and personal skills will help me inspire other young women in Afghanistan. When I return to Afghanistan after I graduate from college, I will be equipped professionally and personally to become a role model. I will teach other young Afghan women to believe in themselves and let their voices be heard.
THE NEXT ISV MAGAZINE MARGARET W. WONG SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE AWARDED FOR FALL 2016. PLEASE VISIT WWW.ISVMAG.COM FOR DETAILS.
What is the ISV Spotlight Award? To put the spotlight on an international student who not only cares about his/her campus community, but who also takes an active leadership role and serves as a positive role model for all students.
ISV SPOTLIGHT!
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VOICE MAGAZINE SPOTLIGHT AWARD WINNER IS ISABELA MOLITOR SILVA Elena Axton, Study Abroad Advisor at Eastern Washington University wrote the following nomination:
I
am nominating Isabela Molitor Silva for the International Student Voice (ISV) Spotlight Award. Miss Molitor Silva is an international student studying at Eastern Washington University (EWU) from Brazil. She came to EWU in the Winter of 2014 as part of our first cohort of Brazilian students and has helped to globalize the campus culture in part by opening the eyes of domestic students to expand their definition of the classroom. You see, in addition to being an international student that came to the small college town of Cheney, Washington in the United States to pursue her undergraduate degree, she took her major of International Affairs a step further this year when she participated in an exchange with one of our partner institutions, the University of Agder in Kristiansand, Norway for the fall 2015 term. s well as pusuing her own individual studies, Bela, as she is known here, wanted to assist other international students adjusting to life in the United States and also help students interested in pursuing studying abroad in another country. Shortly after arriving to EWU, she was hired to work as a Global Ambassador in the Office of Global Initiatives. In her role as a Global Ambassador she helps international students transition into their lives at Eastern as students and also
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participates in leading cultural excursions in the area to assist students in adapting and integrating into “American life”. he way she goes about performing her duties inside the office have also been integral in the manner in which the office is able to function. Her native language of Portuguese has obviously made her an asset working with other students from Brazil, but her spirit, character and approachability have been beneficial to all of our students regardless of their spoken language or home country. Her infectious spirit has also been a delight for all of the office staff members who she works with as her attitude and contributions help to foster an envrionment of intercultural exchange with everyone she meets. er visible leadership though doesn’t stop at the responsibilities that are dictated by her paycheck because her enthusiasm and passion to share her love of exploring cultures is also exemplified through the way she has volunteered to assist our outgoing study abroad students on her own time. Until two years ago, EWU had not had a student that had seriously considered studying in Brazil. As is the case with most of our domestic students, the first student that committeed to going to Brazil had never traveled outside of Washington State. She had a lot of questions about Brazil,
T
H
specifically travel in general. Right away I thought of Bela and asked if she would be willing to speak with the student. For a number of reasons, that student had to push back her study abroad until this year so she was in Brazil to begin a yearlong study at the same time that Bela was in Norway. Bela had spent so much time getting to know the student and answering her questions, the two developed a very strong bond and when Bela went home to Brazil for her break between semesters in Norway and the U.S., she invited the student to come stay a week with her and her family. ela has been a beacon on campus that has gone out of her way to bring people together. The impacts she has had on our university are long-lasting and will be felt long after she graduates. The stories I have shared are just a snippet of the footprint Bela has made at EWU. She has called Brazil, the United States, and Norway home already in her life. I have no doubt that the mark she makes on the world will only continue to grow as she pursues her career goal to become an Ambassador or International Services Officer.
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NOMINATE A STUDENT TODAY! Visit bitly.com/ISVSpotlight www.isvmag.com
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International Student Voice Magazine | Spring 2016
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT NEWS...
STEM OPT On Friday, March 11 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the new and enhanced OPT program for international students in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, and math). The new rule was posted for final public inspection and it will officially go into effect on Tuesday, May 10, 2016! “The new rule for STEM OPT will allow international students with qualifying degrees to extend the time they participate in practical training, while at the same time strengthening oversight and adding new features to the program,” said Lou Farrell, Director of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) in a press release sent from DHS. OPT is a program international students can apply for to gain work experience in the United States after graduation. OPT is good for 12 months, but those in a STEM field can apply for an extension. There are many changes to the new STEM OPT rule, the major one is increasing the extension period from 18 months to 24 months, meaning a student could have up to 36 months of OPT. Back in August 2015, DHS started the process of increasing the extension period of STEM OPT from 18 months to 24 months, but was stalled when a lawsuit from the U.S. District Court for D.C. said
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EXTENSION INCREASED TO
DHS didn’t follow required procedures when they extended OPT for STEM fields the first time back in 2008. So they had to follow procedures this time around. One major procedure was opening the new STEM OPT rule for public comment. From October 19 to November 18, 2015 the public could share their thoughts and opinions about the new STEM OPT proposal. DHS received 50,500 comments, the most in DHS history. The Student Exchange and Visitors Program (SEVP) launched a STEM OPT Hub on the DHS’ Study in the States website. This is where students can find more resources about the new STEM OPT rule. You can also visit this site for information if you’re
months
currently on the 17-month extension and if you can apply for additional months of OPT after May 10.
Visit DHS’s Study in the States website at www.studyinthestates.dhs.gov to learn about the new STEM OPT rule
SOME ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENTS TO STEM OPT INCLUDE:
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Only students who earned a degree from a school accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency and certified by SEVP may apply for a STEM OPT extension. Participating students who receive an additional qualifying degree from an accredited college or university can apply for a second STEM OPT extension. Employers participating in STEM OPT must incorporate a formal training program that includes concrete learning objectives with proper oversight. Students must work a minimum of 20 hours per week per employer to qualify.
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International Student Voice Magazine
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INTERNATIONAL STUDENT NEWS...
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INTERNATIONAL STUDENT STUDY IN THE
UNITED STATES
THE TOP 10 SENDING COUNTRIES 1. CHINA 2. INDIA 3. SOUTH KOREA 4. SAUDI ARABIA 5. CANADA *F and M visas
6. VIETNAM 7. JAPAN 8, TAIWAN 9. BRAZIL 10. MEXICO
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International Student Voice Magazine | Spring 2016
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT NEWS... INTERNATIONAL, DOMESTIC STUDENTS COMPETE 30 teams remain in the competition from six countries; the only team representing Ohio is from the University of Cincinnati.
Have you ever been stuck in a traffic jam, with your hands gripped to the steering wheel trying to hold back your frustration and thought to yourself, “There has to be a better way to travel!” Granted, how we travel has come a long way from what it used to be, but yes, it can still be extremely frustrating. Hang in there because someone thinks there is a better and faster way to travel and he asked universities from around the world to help him make it a reality. Elon Musk, the founder, CEO/CTO of SpaceX and CEO/product architect of Tesla Motors, after being stuck in traffic on his way from Los Angeles to San Francisco, came up with the idea called Hyperloop. This is a high-speed transportation system, what Musk called, “a cross between a jet plane, a rail gun, and an air hockey table.” The Hyperloop is a solar-powered highspeed inner-city transportation system that would be able to transport 20 to 30 people at high subsonic speeds. The people would be inside a pod that would be propelled through a 12-foot diameter tube. In June 2015, SpaceX announced they would sponsor the Hyperloop Pod Design Competition and in October, more than 1,200 teams submitted designs. After reviewing the designs, 124 teams from 20 countries were invited to Texas A&M
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International Student Voice Magazine
University to present their designs during the Hyperloop Design Weekend in January 2016. Now only 30 teams remain in the final phase of the competition. Those teams will build their Hyperloop prototypes and test them on the one-mile SpaceX Hyper Track at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California this summer. Teams from universities include MIT, UCLA, Texas A&M, the University of Toronto, and Virginia Tech. The only team from Ohio is from the University of Cincinnati (UC), a team comprised of both international and American students. Dhaval Shiyani, a third year aerospace engineering graduate student from India assembled the UC team. “We have the task of building something wholly original here,” Shiyani said. “It’s immensely exciting to think that we’re one of the very first people in the world working on this concept, a concept that could entirely change the way we travel in the near future.” The team, who calls themselves Hyperloop UC, was able to gain industry and university sponsors to help make their design a reality. But the team still faces some challenges. “Raising funds for this project has been a real challenge,” Sid Thatham, graduate chemical engineering and MBA student from India explained. “We are proud to say
we have raised a significant amount and we continue to raise the remainder of the budget. Another major challenge is just the sheer complexity of the project. We are tasked with building a completely new transportation system in less than a year. And the real kicker, the Hyperloop pod has never been worked on before, this makes our task all the more challenging.” Hyperloop UC continues to fundraise and still remains enthusiastic to be part of such a unique competition, even if it means working long hours with little sleep. “Some of our competitors have stopped school work temporarily to concentrate on their Hyperloop projects,” Thatham shared. “All of our members have been taking full-time classes or have been working on dissertations while working on the Hyperloop. For some of us, four hours of sleep and cooked food are luxuries!” In June, Hyperloop UC will join the remaining teams in California to compete for the grand prize. To support Hyperloop UC, follow them on Facebook at www. facebook.com/HyperloopUC and Twitter at @HyperloopUC.
WANT TO HELP TEAM HYPERLOOP UC?
››› ››› ›››
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT NEWS...
TO REVOLUTIONIZE HIGH-SPEED TRANSPORTATION
Hyperloop UC’s pod design
Hyperloop UC’s SpaceX DesignWeekend Award
Help Hyperloop UC reach their fundraising goal. Please visit bitly.com/HyperloopUC and select “Hyperloop UC” under Select an area of focus. www.isvmag.com
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THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VOICE MAGAZINE
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International Student Voice Magazine
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES CONTINUES TO GROW THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT!
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International Student Voice Magazine | Spring 2016
The French Reaction to the November Maggie Lohmann from Kent State University shares her first-hand experience of the attacks in Paris on November 13, 2015.
On the night of November 13, 2015, tragedy could be felt all throughout France. There was an audible silence as the French community looked on in horror as bombings, a siege, and shootings overtook Paris. As an American student studying in France, I experienced this night of terror first hand. The Friday night started off in a normal fashion- as I took the tram downtown, there was a sense of happiness in the air, as students and families traveled to downtown Bordeaux to enjoy the start of their weekend. I happened to be watching a soccer game at a local puba soccer game that I realized afterward had initiated the terrorist attacks in Paris. The game was a French-German football match at the Stade de France, a soccer stadium on the outskirts of Paris. Neither the spectators of the game or I as a fan, watching the game live, knew that there had been bombings outside the stadium during the game, but the stadium erupted in panic as news of bombings and shootings filtered. As I traveled back to residential Bordeaux, the crowded tram was silent, staring at their phones in a mystifying manner to me. I asked the man sitting next to me what he was watching, and he was able to communicate to me that there was a terrorist attack currently happening in the center of Paris, and it had all 12
International Student Voice Magazine
started at the Stade de France. The man, the rest of the tram, and I all stared in horror at the news unfolding minute by minute on French news stations. To contrast the happiness felt on public transportation only a few hours ago, a sense of dread enveloped the tram as the French citizens around me watched their nation under attack. As the night continued, there was only worse news that was being highlighteda rock concert under siege, a shooting in a restaurant, with the body count rising. I scrambled that night to reach out and certify the safety of the friends I had in Paris, and I fell asleep to new updates being sent to me every few minutes. The next morning, I had plans to travel to a smaller French town for the weekend with my friend. We decided the next morning to continue with the weekend away, though it seemed surreal to continue with our regular lives as details from the attack were still being uncovered on the news. My friend and I traveled to the Bordeaux train station, where I saw the first security reaction from the attacks. Standing outside of the train station were at least 15 police officers, men from the military, and members of the “Gendarmerie” (similar to the National Guard). All the officers were holding large machine guns and were patrolling the front of the station, with a larger amount of officers inside. I had never once questioned the safety of Bordeaux, but after the attacks and in the presence of the militarized officers, I felt the fear that other French citizens felt as well. Though the Paris attacks of November 13th were rooted in fear and were done to spread terror, I saw the French population come together as one during and after the attacks. There was an impromptu, emotional memorial set up in Place de la Bourse, the main square in downtown Bordeaux, on Saturday afternoon. There was also a memorial on the campus I lived and studied at; a wellknown and well-loved professor from
Université de Bordeaux-Montaigne had tragically passed away during the events of the attacks. In my Monday morning “Français des Medias” (French Media) course, we dedicated the day to memorialize the victims and analyze the reactions of the French population in the face of the attacks. Starting from the moment the terrorist attacks were initiated, there was an outpouring of compassion. Someone living in downtown Paris started the #PorteOuverte (#OpenDoor) hashtag on Twitter coupled with their address, signifying that their home was open to anyone in Paris that needed to find a safe place to stay. This hashtag soon became a trending topic in Paris and many Parisians were able to find safety in the homes of strangers. The French newspapers my class analyzed illustrated the compassion felt all throughout the weekend, as citizens opened up to each other to find comfort and solace in the tragic time. The French Media professor was very emotional in discussing the attacks, though her French pride was
r
13th Terror evident in discussing the reactions of the French population. On that same Monday, there was a national moment of silence throughout France. From 12:00-12:01 PM on Monday, November 16th, the city of Bordeaux bowed its head in prayer to the 130 victims of the terrorist attacks. At that time, all work stopped, all courses and schools were paused for the minute and the public transportation even stopped in respect. The picture below shows the memorial outside of Bordeaux’s largest cathedral right at noon on Monday. The French population and the whole world was shaken by the events of November 13, 2015 in Paris, France. As a student experiencing these events, there was horror as the attacks and siege unfolded on Friday night, which was followed by an outpouring of sympathy as the French government declared a state of emergency. As the details of the attacks came into light, there was no emotion felt more than compassion as the French society came together to mourn the victims and to represent the solidarity of France.
Photo courtesy 20minutes.fr
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STUDYING IN
AMERICA
WE FEATURE THREE MUSLIM STUDENTS WHO CAME TO AMERICA TO STUDY. ONE SHARES WHAT IT’S LIKE BEING A LEADER, ANOTHER SHARES CULTURAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE U.S. AND HER HOME COUNTRY, AND THE LAST SHARES WHAT IT’S LIKE BEING MUSLIM AT A CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY.
FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF THE SAUDI STUDENT ASSOCIATION Malak Almunyify went from a shy student who disliked giving speeches and presentations to the current president of the Saudi Student Association at the University of Oregon. “I was very shy before I came to the United States,” Malak shared. “My parents wanted me to go to the U.S. to grow more, speak more. I never thought I would be president, I thought all I was going to do is study.” Malak started at the University of Oregon in the spring of 2013. Now as a junior economics major and business minor, she is the first female to serve as president of this organization. “I am not the first female Saudi leader in the U.S., that’s for sure, but the first one here in Eugene,” Malak explained. “American students don’t think Saudi females have leadership roles, but there are actually many leading in Saudi and around the U.S.” It was actually Abdulrhman, “AJ” Aljaafari, the previous president of the Saudi Student Association who suggested Malak be the next president of the group. “At first I was like, what?! There are more than 400 Saudi students, the majority males. How could I get elected?” Malak laughed. “But Abdulrhman was my friend and he encouraged me to participate. I was also worried how other males would respond, but they were very supportive showing on election day.” In a recent article for the Daily Emerald, Aljaafari attributed many of
his successes as president to his female vice president. “It is very important for women to see themselves as leaders,” Aljaafari explained in the article. “It is important to have both males and females working together to change misconceptions about Saudis.” Malak ran unopposed for the position as president and started her term in June 2015. The topic of women’s rights in Saudi Arabia grabs international attention. Progress has been made recently. In 2013, the King appointed 50 females to the 150-member Consultative Assembly, the formal advisory body of the country also known as the Shura Council. In 2015, for the third time in history women were able to vote and run in the local elections. According to Al Jazeera, 130,000 women registered to vote and at least 18 women were elected into office. According to Higher Education: the Path to Progress for Saudi Women, the female literacy rate is estimated to be 91 percent. That is far higher than 40 years ago. More than 17,000 Saudi females are currently studying in the United States, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s SEVIS by the Numbers report. While serving as president this past year, Malak dedicated her term to fulfilling the mission of the Saudi Student Association, which is to create a community for both new and current Saudi students, make them feel at
home, and to host events to educate all students about Saudi culture. One new goal Malak set for the group as president was to create more events where female Saudi students felt more welcomed. “I wanted to have more girls at events, I know most of them and they were surprised I was elected,” Malak explained. Malak shared that there has been an increase of women attending events because not only are they happy to have a woman leader, but they are also supporting her as a friend. Another goal Malak has as president is to host a large event where all women from Gulf countries would be invited to attend. “There is an association for Saudis, but none for Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, etc.” Malak shared. “We want to do an event where all students from Gulf countries could present and share their cultures.” As for her overall experience in the United States, Malak shared it has been an enjoyable experience so far. She suggested if anyone would like to learn more about Saudi Arabia or Muslim students in general, don’t be afraid to ask. “The best way to learn about Islam is to make friends with Muslims,” Malak explained. “The internet has everything, but there are also wrong things. Asking Muslims is the best way to be sure.”
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as a
MUSLIM STUDENT
N -UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
MALAK ALMUNYIFY COUNTRY: SAUDI ARABIA
International Student Voice Magazine | Spring 2016
STUDYING IN
AMERICA
MY EXPERIENCES IN AMERICA AS A YOUNG, PAKISTANI WOMAN -
SAFIA BAIG COUNTRY: PAKISTAN
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International Student Voice Magazine
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as a
MUSLIM STUDENT
N -UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO Life is about making choices, but some of them can change our life dramatically. I decided to come to America for only one semester, although I knew it was really a challenge to me.There are many things that can change our life course. It can either make a positive impact or a negative impact on a person’s life. Living abroad is a great opportunity for people to gain a lot of useful experiences and valuable knowledge. During this period of time, these days will not be ordinary, but new experiences and memorable days. There have been ups and downs, smiles and frowns, but in the end, it will be a remarkable experience that will never be forgotten. The United States of America! Since I came here I have had both good and bad experiences which might be considered cultural shocks. Here I would like to tell you one of my experiences that I have had in America and then I am going to make an analysis of cultures in the USA and in Pakistan. Perhaps my religion is Islam, so one of my good experiences is the freedom that I never had before
in Pakistan. Initiating greetings to the opposite gender seems impossible in my culture. But in the USA, I will receive a warm hug in return. Hugging the opposite sex is not common in Muslim culture at all. I never hugged a boy. It was very surprising to me. In the beginning, I thought maybe they wanted to tease me or they express good feeling about me, but after a while I started realizing that it is a part of American culture and it is a normal thing and I do not have any problem with it now. I learned that people must think about everything they do and do good things which are useful for people and make us closer in order to have peace all over the world. I learned that we should love each other like a family and be closer to each other and transfer this positive sense to others with positive points like hugging. When I first came here, my English was so bad that I could not listen and speak to native English speakers. I just knew a few words then guessed what they meant. I had a lot of troubles with getting around, opening up a
bank account, and trying to ask for directions when I was lost. I also faced some problems during my stay in the USA, but my roommate always made me understand the true meaning of life. She also made me happy by giving me good advice. I am lucky here to be here in the USA and I hope all I have learned here is only the starting point of my future path. The USA is a land of rich and diverse cultures, knowledge and a pluralistic society. This cultural exchange program gave me an opportunity to visit this country and it is a life-time experience for a young Pakistani woman like me hailing from a small village. This program also helped me in meeting people from different worlds and building my social skills. I am sure when I will go back to Pakistan as a more learned person. I will definitely share all the new things I learned with the people back home.
“THERE HAVE BEEN UPS AND DOWNS, SMILES AND FROWNS, BUT IN THE END IT WILL BE A REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.” www.isvmag.com
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International Student Voice Magazine | Spring 2016
STUDYING IN
AMERICA
BEING A MUSLIM AT A CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY As I was standing in the middle of the campus and staring at the cross on the tower, an unprecedented fearfulness came across my mind. “Why am I here?” I grew up with a Muslim background, but I lived in a society where people had a hard time practicing their beliefs and finding a sense of belonging. For me, being a Muslim is a natural thing, and I thought that is one of my identities; I never asked myself why I am a Muslim, and I could not think of what I would be if I were not one. However, growing up with some experiences of social injustice and unfairness has given me insights into dynamics of how society works. When I decided to come to the States, I had a feeling that my life would change in some ways. I happened to hear of George Fox University when I was in my sophomore year. My English professor told us in class that there is an educational program between GFU and the university I attended in China. Before then, I had never thought about studying abroad. Sometimes your life changes by a decision you make in a moment. Christian higher education—this concept came up when I was researching GFU online. At first, I thought that means the school is only for students who are Christians, so I asked my professor, and she told me that I was wrong; she said the school welcomes everyone. I was still kind of frightened by the
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International Student Voice Magazine
idea of a Christian college. I did not have any knowledge of Christianity at the time because of my Muslim bubble. All my life I had been told that Allah is the only one God, so I avoided being in touch with some other beliefs that do not conform to mine. If I tell my dad the school I am going is a Christian university, will he still support me? What if people don’t like me because I don’t believe in the same God as they? Would I be brainwashed? These questions actually bothered me for a while. However, my longing to see other parts of the world defeated my fear and brought me and my curiosities to this land. People are nice because they are Christians. From the day I arrived on GFU’s campus, I stared to meet many extremely nice people. Before I encountered any exact Biblical knowledge, these nice people who I met gave me my first impression of Christianity. Their kindnesses was not only showed by helping others, but also treating them like their family members. I assumed that people with belief are always nice, and I asked myself, “Are Muslims always considered as nice?” I doubt that. Chapels, Bible studies and Sunday churches bring the believers together to share God’s love with each other. “Set a fire down in my soul / That I can’t contain and I can’t control / I want more of you, God; I want more of you, God...” My eyes were riveted on the
screen. I was standing in the back row of Bauman Auditorium, and tears sprung without control. The Christian worship song sung to my heart sentence by sentence the first time I went to chapel. My Intro to Bible professor invited me to a Bible study. The first thought that came to my mind was, “Why do I need to do Bible study?” I never did Quran study in my life, so if I go, will I betray Allah and my belief? However, if I had really thought that could happen, I would not have come here in the first place. The first time I went to Bible study, I was very quiet, and I considered myself as an outsider and convinced myself I was just learning from a different religion. However, the more we discussed at the Bible study, the more I discovered myself, and the more questions came up to my mind when my professor said we believe in same God; there are just some differences on how we perceive Him and how we practice our beliefs. Before I came to the States, I had conversations with my dad about being in a Christian community and the possibilities of going to church. “Respect Allah’s creation.” That’s all he said. When I was invited to church, my concern was how people would look at me if I say I am a Muslim; it might be better just not to mention it. Actually, it was much better than I thought, no one really cares about who I am, everyone was focusing on
A
as a
MUSLIM STUDENT
Y -GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY bringing themselves closer to God and using the limited time to be refreshed. I admired in this culture how people can come together to show their love towards God unconditionally—but not the way it was in mine. I like the ways they worship God, I like the ways they share God’s love with each other. I was wondering--if these happen in my religion’s practice, how wonderful it could be. When it comes to Jesus, I found out I am going to hell. A girl always sitting next to me in my sociology class invited me to a dinner after class. She helped me a lot throughout the semester and I really liked her so I was more than happy to go. We were talking about our favorite movies and books while we eating, the room filled with laughing and the aroma of the food. When we had almost finished our dinner, she mentioned she had read a book recently and she would like to lend the book to me if I want. I found out the book was about the darkness of Islam. I did not understand why she wanted me to read a book like that at first, but I gradually realized her intention as she began asking questions. “What do you think of Christianity?” she asked. I told her my true feeling of the respect and admiration that I had of how Christians build relationship with God. Then she started to talk about her experience on how she met Jesus and became a real Christian. There was
some intenseness in the air that I could feel. “Do you know that if you don’t believe that Jesus saved you from your sins and see him as God you will go to hell?” she looked at me. Her blue eyes are so beautiful, and when she smiles she just looks like an angle. But at that moment I could not look at her face, and I did not know what to say. I had never been told that. I knew she was not trying to make me feel bad or being mean to me. Instead, from her perspective she just told me the fact that she believes, but that was the first time I thought there was reason for people being nice to me, and I might really not belong here. On the way back to my apartment, I was standing in the middle of campus and staring at the cross on the tower. I was still thinking about what she told me, thinking about the experience that I had in here for past four months, “Why am I here?” I asked myself.
MAIDINA TUOHUTI COUNTRY: CHINA
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FAVORITE RECIPES: MEXICO SNACK-NACHOS Although nachos are not a traditional Mexican food, most people still equate Nachos with Mexican fare (much like pizza is considered Italian food). So enjoy this crunchy, cheesy snack with all of your favorite toppings! Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 3 oz Tortilla chips (about 2 large handfuls) 2/3 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella 1/4 cup sour cream 1/4 cup guacamole 1/2 cup refried beans or whole black beans, drained of liquid 1 small tomato, seeded and diced 1/2 cup green onions, chopped *Optional- Other topping ideas include sliced black olives, white or red onions and jalapeno rings *Optional- 1 cup of diced carne asada, carnitas or shredded chicken Preparation: Pre-heat broiler on high. Heat refried beans over low heat until bubbly. Place half of the chips on an oven proof pie plate and cover with half the cheese. Carefully add the rest of the chips topped with the remaining cheese. Place under the broiler for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Carefully remove chips from broiler and drizzle on beans. Then add dollops of guacamole, sour cream and lastly, sprinkle on the tomatoes. *If adding meat, freshly cooked is the best option, or re-heat pre-cooked meat until piping hot. Add right after the beans layer.
CHICKEN ENCHILADAS SUIZAS Enjoy the flavors of green chiles and the texture of shredded chicken in these Enchiladas Suiza. Melted cheese and sauteed spinach and onion only add to the unique taste. And if that weren’t enough, these enchiladas are a snap to make, but they taste like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen. “Suiza” is “Switzerland” in Spanish, named for the creamy white sauce that tops them. Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Ingredients: 12 corn tortillas 2 cups shredded chicken 6 oz. chopped, roasted and skinned green chiles (fresh is best, but you can use canned in a pinch) 3 cups fresh spinach 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 cup crema or sour cream 4 oz. cotija, crumbled and an additional 2 oz reserved. 5 oz. evaporated milk 15 oz green chile sauce Warm oil to dip tortillas in Preparation: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan over medium heat and cook the onions for about 1 minute. Add the spinach and cook it for about 5 minutes until leaves are wilted. Fold in the chicken and green chiles. Set aside. In a saucepan, heat creama, evaporated milk, 4 oz of cotija and half of the chile sauce over low heat until sauce is smooth. Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish by coating the bottom with a thin layer of sauce. Dip a tortilla into the warm oil to soften it and place it into the pan. Place about 1/4 cup filling down the center of the the tortilla and sprinkle with a tablespoon of Asadero or Queso Quesadilla cheese. Roll the tortilla up and place seam side down in dish. Repeat until all tortillas are used. Pour remaining cream sauce over the top, then top off by drizzling the remaining green chile sauce over the top and then sprinkle with the 2 oz of crumbled cotija. Bake dish for 15 minutes to melt the cheese. 20
International Student Voice Magazine
JAHAZIEL HIRIART, AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FROM MEXICO SHARED SOME OF HER FAVORITE RECIPES FROM BACK HOME. IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO COOK YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD, BEGIN WITH THESE RECIPES!
PASTEL DE TRES LECHES OR “THREE MILKS CAKE” This has become a traditional dessert all over Latin America. It is simply a sponge cake that has been soaked in a “milk syrup” or a “sweet cream sauce” which is made up of 3 milks- evaporated, condensed and cream. It may seem like a complicated affair, but Tres Leches cake is not that much more complicated than baking any other kind of cake. Cake Ingredients 1 1/2 cups cake flour* 1 teaspoon baking powder* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract** 1/3 cup oil** Cream Syrup Ingredients 1/2 cup evaporated milk 1/2 cup heavy cream Whipped Topping Ingredients 3/4 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon sugar
1 pinch salt* 1 cup sugar** 5 large eggs** 1/2 cup whole milk** 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk 1 tablespoon rum or brandy (optional) 1 teaspoon vanilla *Dry Ingredients **Wet Ingredients
1. Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees. 2. Add the dry ingredients to a medium bowl and mix them up until well incorporated. 3. Mix the wet ingredients together on high speed until they become thoroughly mixed and somewhat frothy. This usually takes about 2 minutes. After they are nice and frothy, slowly stir in the milk and oil. 4. On low speed, mix the flour mixture into the egg mixture 1/4 cup at a time to maintain as much of the frothiness that you have whipped into the sugar and eggs as you can. 5. Pour the batter into a greased 9x13 baking pan. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. 6. After the cake has cooled to room temperature, poke the cake all the way through, repeatedly with a fork or toothpick. If a cake residue from the top of the cake builds up on the fork, wipe it off every so often. 7. In a bowl, whisk together the three milk’s to until they are evenly mixed. The sweetened condensed milk is very thick and has a tendency to sink to the bottom, so use a scraper on the bottom if you want to check to see that everything is mixed properly. It may seem like a lot of liquid, but most of it will absorb into the cake. Milk Syrup Ingredients 1/2 cup evaporated milk 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon rum or brandy (optional)
Whipped Topping Ingredients 3/4 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 tablespoon sugar
8. Pour the milk mixture over the cooled cake. It will seem like a lot of liquid, and that is okay. Sometimes the cake will loosen from the pan and float in it. Cover the cake and refrigerate it for a minimum of three hours, but overnight is best. 9. After the cake has had plenty of time to soak, the liquid should be 85-95% absorbed. If it has only soaked for 3 or 4 hours and there is still way to much liquid, it may just need more time to soak. The cake shown was soaked overnight and very little liquid is left. 10. On high speed, mix together the ingredients for the whipped topping until the cream forms stiff peaks. You can frost the cake in the pan, or you can invert the cake onto a serving platter with raised edges (to prevent the milk syrup from running off). 11. Spread a layer of whipped topping evenly over the cake. You can serve it immediately, or cover, and return the refrigerator for up to 12 hours, at which point the whipped topping may begin to break down. 12. You can further garnish the cake with a sprinkle of cinnamon or fresh berries. www.isvmag.com
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International Student Voice Magazine | Spring 2016
APPLY FOR OUR MICROSCHOLARSHIPS! HOW DOES IT WORK?
EVERY TWO WEEKS, WE PICK AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TO AWARD $100! WE AWARD SIX MICROSCHOLARSHIPS IN THE SPRING AND SIX IN THE FALL. STUDENTS WRITE SHORT 1-2 PAGE ESSAYS BASED ON TOPICS WE POST ON OUR WEBSITE. FROM THE ESSAYS WE PICK A NEW WINNER EVERY TWO WEEKS!
YOU CAN STILL APPLY FOR OUR SPRING MICROSCHOLARSHIPS! WE WILL AWARD THIS SCHOLARSHIP UP UNTIL MAY 16, 2016. Please visit bitly.com/ISVMicroscholarships for details! Fall microscholarships begin in September 2016.
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International Student Voice Magazine
AROUND THE WORLD WORD FIND CAN YOU FIND ALL THE COUNTRIES? ANSWERS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE WWW.ISVMAG.COM
UNITED STATES SAUDI ARABIA FRANCE TAIWAN CHINA TURKEY BRAZIL JAPAN INDIA CANADA MEXICO GERMANY SOUTH KOREA VIETNAM www.isvmag.com
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