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“Volume 3 Issue 11 CAMPUS UPDATE Alpena Community College, Alpena, MI February 18, 1981 International By: Rosa Morrison, Some international students may encounter more difficulties getting an American education than others. Such is the case of John J. Ogunu from. Nigeria he Nigerian government re- quires that everyone become edu- cated. Ogunu, having earned his high school diploma, decided to apply for an education and admis- sion into another country. Many forms must be filled out and pre- sented to-the appropriate embassy, including a certificate of eligibility, some countries demand a minimum. of one year, proof of financing, a passport, and a health certificate. The forms are examined and ap- proved by the Administrator of Education. During this time, Ogunu inves- . tigated his opportunities, gave much thought to his oe and selected America. Some of the reasons for his decision ae by 1982, his country’s system of education will” exactly like America’s, the American Emba: is the biggest and most popular in Nigeria, and it is the closest in relation: When he approached the Am- erican Consulate various universities, four year colleges, and community colleges were discussed, but the advisor repeatedly came back to Michigan. Finally, he admitted he was from Michigan! The consulate then advised a community college because of the smaller teacher-stu- Students dent ratio. The student would be “under less tension and have room to cover more ground,”’ said Ogunu, “by having a lesser number of peo- ple to learn to deal with in dif- ferent situations and new surround- ings. Another of Ogunu’s S$ reasons for choosing Michigan is that one of his brothers attends a university here. Oguinu has a deep interest in human. rights and wants to pursue this field of study. Because of his vocational choice, he ishere under private fund- ing which, in itself, could have diffi- ‘culties connected with it. The gov- ernment wanted Ogunu to major in Mechanical or Automotive Engine- ering. This being contrary to Og- unu’s desires, he went to the guid- ance and Counselling Office. el much deliberation, he, at that tim decided upon public Acne tion. (He had applied ask his ue ment for an award, an award can be ane Heed | After getting his degree here returning to his country, -Q@gunu may. still face some prob- lems. His chances of employment and fair wages do not pose a prob- lem. Discrimination may surface when he decides to further his ed- ucation and go for a higher degree. The universities or colleges in Nigeria may decide that he does not have an adequate education and may require him to take one or two years of study before starting Lose Scholarship A missing link exists in the U.S. between available college sch- olarships, grants and financial aid, and the people eligible to receive them. “Money is going unclaimed, because people don’t know where to find the funds, or they think they don’t qualify,’” says the Direc- tor of the Student Assistance Coun- cil of America. According to Robert Freede, author of Cath Hon Galler (Pren- tice-Hall), “People believe the myth that all scholarships and grants are sed only on a student's financial need . . . class standing . . . or test scores. ‘It’s not true!” “More than $100,000,000 of’ school aid has gone unclaimed and unused because it has not been matched up with the proper stud- ents. Students don’t bother to apply use. many parents don’t becai believe their children qualify for Opportunities financial aid,” Freede say: Yet millions of dollars in aid are available to people regardless of need or academic excellence, Total dollars allele to students for college are ie’ $500,000,000. “Substantial ce aiaerk of money are hidden behind strange eligibility re- quirements, — little-known funds, public and private grants,’” says pone e you must apply to be eanseered: the trick is to find out about these funds. Matching schol- arship sources to qualified indivi- duals isn’t a job for amateurs, as a computer is required. Even student counselors can’t know more than a fraction of the over _250,000- available source items.” Scholarship Search, an arm of the Student Assistance Council, provides personalized research by computer that matches a student's continued on page 4.column 1 Students ‘Choose his studies for an advanced degree. The other international stu- dents may not have experienced the same degree of difficulties as Ogunu. They are George Odoi, from Ghana, Africa, which is ap- proximately 250 kilometers from Nigeria, Sharokina Arsenus from Iran, —Avelino we Bello, Jose Gonzalez, , Maldorado, Miguel Rodriguez, oe Odraude Vera, all ion Venezuela. ‘Vera, who is married, has a son 1% ee old, and lives off campus with his family in an apart- ment house. His wife and son are’ living in the south for the winter months as they find our weather very difficult to tolerate. Another difficulty for Vera is the unfriend- liness he encounters living in an apartment with local residents. At the University of Illinois, even though he and his family had an apartment, there was still the common ground of “student rel- ationship” which Vera finds totally lacking in the present Bicep By: Sharyn Owens He came from nowhere in particular, with no apparent des- tination, but before he left our company, he’d changed the lives of everyone he'd known. — His methods were subtle; he didn’t try to draw attention to himself, yet his impact was undenial His name was Sam; a drifter who claimed to have mystical powers. Indeed, all the children called him “The Wizard.” | am no judge of wizardry, nor am | familiar with the occult | can only report what | witnessed. It was the third of August, an angry sun scorching the landscape, when Sam ehtered our lives. The monotonous routine of our village recoiled at this stranger’s appear- ance; visitors never came our way. Most of the tourists preferred the modern cities that had developed along the interstate, 15 miles away. - son’s ACC ces. is studying metallurgy under a grant from his government and chose ACC because the pro- gram offered “is not too much theory .. . very practical . . . meets my needs,” he explained. Max Lindsay, Dept.’ of Stu- dent Aid, said there has been a slight increase in number of inter- national students because of more money due to the increase in oil findings, so oil producing countries are granting more scholarships for government interest studies. Bigger colleges and universities are more difficult to enter as the criteria for international students is -very strict. Also, they are more expen- = < e. “Why do they pick ACC? The. truth? Many. students choose ACC,” Lindsay said, “because they. use a college directory and we are listed first. Sometimes it’s word of mouth; a student may have a good continued on page 2. column 2 ° x Fi First of a three-part series The last time someone had stum- bled over Etonville, he’d been a bank robber running from the law. Sam parked his rustin, rattle- in ekae'i in front of Mabel John- diner, inside. taking in the entire restaurant at a glance, he opted ‘for a stool near the door. Mabel shuffled her hulk over to take his order. Midafternoon at Mabel’s place is never very busy, but the eyes of all four customers, as well as those of six kids starin through the window, focused on Sam. akin no notice of this, he ordered coffee anda ham sandwich in that slow, carefree drawl we were all to become so familiar with. Takin my usual corner, and proppin my feet up on the juke box, | measured him carefully. If this fella was lookin for trouble, | figured me and the boys could handle him. He was about five-foot five, with broad, muscular shoul- ders, curly black hair and. flashin black eyes. He was stout, for his size. Put me in ae of a prize bull at the county fa label put his dineh in front of him, burstin with curiosity. Like | said, strangers are a novelty in Etonville. Even Mabel couldn't think of anythin to say to the man. As she turned away, he spoke, in a suprisingly musical voice, askin where the nearest lodgins could be continued on page 3. column 2