Otero Junior College

Arsen Ashimov (Kazakhstan)

I go to university and I'm 3rd year student. When I came back in May, I had to pass classes that I missed. So I had to pass 8 classes. And I passed them successfully. That was easy!!!

This semester I'm taking 8 classes. All of them are really interesting and connected to marketing. I love Marketing! I always share my experiences with classmates. I always tell them some interesting things about lifestyle and college life in th USA. Teachers often ask my opinion about different things. I really like that! That's kinda funny! Everybody says WOW you have been to America!!! It's so cool!! I'm kinda cool guy :))

While living in La Junta and studying at OJC, I thought I will never want to go back to La Junta! But when I came back to Kazakhstan, I really wanted to go back to La Junta!!! I miss that place really much!!! Also I wanna go back to 902 Belleview and live with you guys and Nick, Mariya, Mehrafruz and Yoshie! I wish I spend another year with you, Mr. Tom and Grandma!!! Only when I came back to Kazakhstan, I realized how much you have done for us!! How much you loved us! how much you took good care of us!!! thank you very much!!! You made my staying in La Junta more happy and interesting!!! That was really awesome time I've ever had!!!

Yoshie Fukasawa (Japan)

I'm glad that I chose Otero Junior College. Because the college is not too big which gave me more opportunities for personal instructions from teachers, and the size of the classrooms made it easier to communicate with other students in the class, unlike other schools in big cities. OJC's international student program is well established organization which is operated by Ms. Sallie Hibbs. When I came to OJC, I had a choice between staying in a dorm room and living with a host family. Then I decided to stay with the Hibbs family who has many students fron other countries. By living with them, I experienced American family's actual lifestyle, holiday events, and different cultures from other students. Especially, the Halloween party was very interesting as you can see by my picture. If you want to experience what I talked about, OJC is the right school for you, and you won't regret it!

Enkhbat Nyamdorj (Mongolia)

This is my second semester. First I came here, everything was difficult for me. Because there is a lot of differences between Mongolia and America. Costums, food, lifestyle and environment. And the biggest challenge was language problem. All classes were in English and I hardly understood them for several weeks. But Algebra was kinda easy for me. Because there was nothing to read in English. And Mongolian Math Teaching System is in advanced. Now I'm living with the Hibbs. We are so big family. German, Russian, Japanese, South African, and Mongolians. I'm glad to living with students from other countries.

At school, one thing that I really liked is teaching method. I like all my instructors. I think they can give me enough knowledge that I really wanted. Now I'm so happy. Cos I did a right step for my life.

Otero Junior College is a bridge that joins my present life with my future.

Adilzhan Ibragimov (Kazakhstan)

I had a chance to study at OJC in 2004-2005 academic year under UGRAD Program. I was really shocked when I came over to LJ because of its size, could not adjust at first, because originally I am from a big city. You know, when you are heading to the US for the first time, you never expect to end up at a small town as LJ. I think the reason for this is Hollywood. I was really depressed at first, but then got used to it and even did not wanted to leave, when the time for departure came. This family type college has excellent instructors. They are real professionals of their job! Small size classes gave me an opportunity to discuss issues and problems freely and feel comfortable. Believe me, it is very difficult to talk in front of local students, especially when English is not your native language. Thus, I should say OJC is a right choice for international students, who want to improve their english and earn a degree at the same time.

During my study at OJC, I have got an internship at a local bank - State Bank of La Junta. I had a very nice mentors as Brad and Lora Rose. They put me to a several sections of the bank, so I could understand the principals of banking. Now I can say firmly that I had a very nice experience during my internship at the State Bank of La Junta.

When I returned back to Kazakhstan, I applied for an internship and was accepted to PetroKazakhstan. Working as an Assistant to Crude Oil and Oil Products Loss Coordinator was a really nice experience and helped me to overcome reverse cultural shock. After couple of month, when I had to go to Almaty (former capital of Kazakhstan, city where I study), I was promoted to a position Part-time Specialist, Sarbanes Oxley Implementation Project. Thus, I am working for the company part-time for a one and a half year and studying Accounting & Audit at Kazakh National University.

In addition, I would like to thank several wonderful people that I met at OJC, whom I gained much knowledge and experience. Special thanks to Sallie Hibbs, who has enourmous amount of energy and never gets tired of organizing variety of cultural activities, to Mr.Rizzuto, who is a true leader and great person, to Mr and Mrs.Armstrong - very nice people and have wonderful family, finally to Mrs.Ormiston - a true professional of her job and an amazing person.

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