U.S. State Department selects President Iadarola to consult

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Iadarola felt that these women had a "sense of hope, of spirit."

These NGOs want more contacts with the Western world. They don't understand democracy, and don't think that it works. Iadarola explained to them that democracy is adaptable to all forms of living.

The people of Belarus have no confidence in themselves. They think that they cannot be successful. They need a sense of hope, a spirit.

Many of them have little opportunity to leave. The average income is about $1,000. Teenagers and adults alike have curfews and are often stopped and questioned in their travels. "Bathrooms are to be desired," said Iadarola.

During her time in Belarus, Iadarola traveled across the country in a car with her translator and her driver. The rides were long, oftentimes eight hours on a dirt road. On one of these trips, Iadarola came across an accident on the road. There were eight bodies lying on the road, bloodied and gored. Iadarola assisted the victims on the road. There was no language barrier between her and the victims, just the reality of human suffering. It would be an hour before the police would arrive. Iadarola left before the ambulance arrived, but already one man was dead.

Every year, Cabrini students are encouraged to volunteer in the community. Iadarola said that she considers this h1;;rduty to volunteer. She feels that giving back is important.

Iadarola went to Belarus with a job to do. She was there to teach women's NGOs skills to use in their world. But listening to her speak, one can't help but tell that perhaps it was Iadarola that

by Catharine Hernson and Richard Magda

staff writers

Congress has been working on making new laws to limit the n~mber of immigrants coming into the United States since the 1993 bombmg of the World Trade Center. Now, in the wake of an even greater tragedy, the government is trying to speed up the process.

The laws being worked on include changing requirements for mternational college students. Tuition may be raised for international student~, as will the bar for standardized test scores. For international students, It will become harder to qualify for a Visa to enter the United States.

To be an international student, one must go through multiple interviews with the U.S. Ambassador to their country. The criteria calls for a standard minimum family income to ensure that the student's family can afford the cost of an American education. Financial stability is pertinent because should the student become unable to support himself, the INS goes to his family in the home country rather than give the student U.S. welfare.

There was a forum held in the Grace Hall Board Room, at which international students were able to speak about how their lives were affected after the tragedy. One student, Amina Moukhliss from Morocc~, relayed her story of going to work that morning. A coworker asked If she was "one of them," Moukhliss replied, "I am an Arab, but I am not a terrorist."

The students were also concerned with the changes to laws allowing foreign students access to U.S. education. Sorin Ilies of Romania, candidly stated, "The moment you make it harder, America loses. Students are free minds."

Moukhliss added that not all Arabs are bad and that Islam never taught anyone to kill. "Everybody in my country was against it. They were united for America, not because they are Americans, but because they are human."

We l)o Mondays

learned more on this trip. She brought along Cabrini shirts and pens to hand out to the people she met. She treated them to caviar, chocolates and champagne.

There is a war memorial in Belarus that "speaks to the human spirit." This trip was about the human spirit. Dr. ladarola's driver in Belarus told her, "We are bonded, we are friends." It is that ability, to see beyond all obstacles and barriers, that has kept the Belarusian culture alive. It is that courage that is seemingly non-existent, that has led Belarusian's to challenge Lukashenko with their own candidate.

Iadarola entered Belarus on an airplane that was seemingly falling apart. She left on an airplane that was in good condition. On much the same note, Iadarola entered a country that was ailing. She has left that country a renewed sense of optimism, of hope.