OJC International Spotlight

International Programs & Services Office
“We make a world of difference.”

 

Maryam Gul (Pakistan)

Where are you from: Sargodha, Pakistan

Hobbies & Interests: reading books, meeting new people, study culture, cooking, spend time with family and friends.

Family members: 2 younger brothers

Favorite American Food: Cheese pizza & fries

Favorite food from home that you miss: Biryan (rice), Chicken Kari

Nickname: none

What is your favorite holiday of the year? What makes it your favorite and how is it celebrated: Eid celebrations. Eid ul Adha and Eid ul Fitr. On Eid ul Adha, after Eid prayers we go to our relatives house to visit them, the older give us eidi (money and gifts). While on the Eid ul Fitr, Muslims slaughter animals and distribute meat to poor people and relatives. There is a grand family dinner for both Eids.

Major and future plans: Psychology, I want to be a counselor. I want to work on youth development because youth is considered as the milestone in the development of country.

Differences in college at OJC compared to your country: American college environment is more informal as compared to the Pakistani college. In America majority of students in college do not select their major field of study, while in Pakistani college students are well aware of their future field of study.

Do people in your country have easy access to internet: Yes, they have. Internet is the important part of their lives.

What do you think about Facebook or Twitter: Facebook is need of this century. Facebook provides an opportunity of global exposure. People from different countries and continents contact with one another easily. Friends can also stay in touch easily.

 

Iftihor Rustamovich Muhtorov (Tajikistan)

What city/town/country: Khujand City, Tajikistan

Hobbies/interest: I like to play Pool and Ping-Pong I was happy to see the lounge have these tables.

Favorite American food: I like all of it so far, but nothing too spicy or sweet.

Do you have a nickname? How did you get it? Ifti, the English language does not have the correct syllable to pronounce my name correctly, so I shortened it.

What is your favorite holiday? New Years and Navrus which is March 1st. This holiday symbolizes new growth; wintertime is over and the spring brings new things. Also, farmers start to plant their crops as well.

What is your major? What are your future plans? I am majoring in International Relations. After I am done at Otero I will go to New York for the New Years celebration, and then return to my country.

What are some differences in going to college in your country compared to the U.S? Education is very similar; my country recently implemented a credit system, much like that of the United States.

Do you have easy access to internet and mobile devices? Yes, my country was liberated from the Soviet Union in 1991 and since then we have been able to get the internet and cell phones. All of these things are fairly new to my country so it is kind of scary to us right now.

What do you think about Facebook or Twitter? I like it, especially right now because I am able to keep in touch with my family and friends.

 

Klemen Jereb (Slovenia)

City and Country: Ljubljana, Slovenia

Siblings: 1 brother, 1 sister

Favorite American Food: McDonald's

Missed Favorite Food from Home: It's like a Chicken Salami

Nicknames: In High School called "Player" because he had no serious girl friends -- until now.

Favorite Holiday: Christmas (Open gifts on the 25th, Eat A lot, and have good conversations with family)

Major: Sports Management (Professional Soccer Player, Coach, or Agent)

Differences in going to college here vs. home? "It is easier here at OJC, because back home you are a number and here you are a person. There you have to figure everything out by yourself; here the teacher's really care about you."

Easy access to internet and mobile devices? Yes, easy access. First phone when he was 8 yrs old. Yellow with multi-colored buttons, Sagem AC 815 Screech Owl.

Facebook and Twitter? Like facebook, good to keep in contact with friends. "It's kind of bad in some ways, because you lose the real connection of hanging out with friends." Mainly Skype's with family.

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