In these turbulent times, it can be easy to lose sight of the common humanity that unites us all. With a General Election around the corner, the spotlight has predictably fallen on immigrants and immigration. The Clarion was honored to be invited by Professor Denise Aselage to interview the 19 students of her ESL 0145 Listening and Speaking II class.
We asked them three questions: why they were studying, what their favorite holidays were, and what they look forward to in the future. The answers were as astounding as they were familiar. Without further ado, meet some of the hardest working students at Sinclair; people with big goals and bigger dreams just like you and me. Photo Credit: Ismael David Mujahid
Sarah Alaffin, from Amman, Jordan
“I am studying so I can save lives. My dream is to be a doctor.”
“Eid Al Fitr. Because its after Ramadan so it comes at the end of the month of fasting. We gather, clean the house, prepare gifts, and make lunch for the family.”
“To finish my studies, gain experience, and become a good doctor like my father.”
Anne Marie Bigirinka, from South Kivu, DRC
“I’d like to pursue a degree in Computer Science it because I enjoy it and studied it back home in Africa.”
“I love weddings in my culture. We all meet up, family and friends. For a whole week we gather together and eat traditional food.”
“I’d like to have my own company. Maybe one in design.”
Yuliia Chernysheva, Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine
“In my country I worked in computer science, so in the future I’d like to continue to do so.”
“New Year because it represents new hopes, new beginnings, and a fresh start.”
“I’m from Zaporizhzhya, Southeast Ukraine. My city is close to the fighting. I hope my son can go to university and that we both can live in a safe environment.”
Chu Chia Ho, Taipei, Taiwan
“I’ve been studying at Sinclair for one year. In the future I hope to major in Culinary Arts. I’d like to open a restaurant.”
“My favorite holiday is Christmas.”
“In the future, I might go back to Taiwan and open a restaurant one day. I miss my family and friends. Its been a longtime since I’ve seen them.”
Sue Cloonan, San Jose, Costa Rica
“In Costa Rica I was a pharmacist, that is what I have my degree in. I had a choice between studying ESOL or TOEFL and chose this program because of its structure. This type of class has more opportunities to learn.”
“My plan is to pass the Board of Pharmacy license here. Maybe after that pursue a Master’s degree.”
“Semanta Santa is my favorite. As a Catholic, Semanta Santa or Holy Week as its known elsewhere, is a massive celebration. Family comes together, we follow certain traditions such as not eating pork or red meat, and attend church functions together.”
“I miss my family. A lot of my friends live here but I feel like my heart is in San Jose.”
Deogracias Ona Edu Matete, Malabo, Equitorial Guinea
“In the future I want to study economics. Back home there are many economic problems and I want to help my country develop and progress like the U.S., Spain, and France.”
“This is my first semester so my first goal is to finish class. I would also like to help my family overcome some of the problems they are facing back in our country. Thinking about my family situation is tough and makes me very sad.”
“I miss my friends, my mom, and grandma. That is why New Year’s is my favorite holiday, because it is a time we can gather together.”
Santiago Ncogo Edu Matete, Malabo, Equitorial Guinea
“I like computers and hope to major in Computer Science.”
“My dream is to one day be rich. I want to have my loved ones around me and to be comfortable.”
“I miss our food, my friends, and parents. Christmas and New Year are my favorite holidays because I miss them so much. Those are the times we used to gather.”
Mazimpaka Gatabazi, Kigali, Rwanda
“I graduated from university with a degree in Social Sciences in my country and when I got here I had to start learning English. I’m in my last level and after that will figure out what to do.”
“First, I want to build a life and be successful. I hope my children can achieve success in all they do. I want them to study, work hard, and become entrepreneurs.”
“Any time I can spend with my family.”
Ying-Tse Hisao, Taiwan
“I’ve been in America for a year. Back home I was an athlete. I’m really passionate about basketball, baseball, and cooking. After I finish ESOL I’d like to study cooking. My dream is to become a chef. I love cooking, experimenting with new flavors and recipes. Recently I even tried making an American burger and steak!”
“I just want to work hard and study. My focus right now is on developing my English and cooking skills. One day I’d like to open my own restaurant but I still have a lot to learn. Currently, my favorite dish to make is General Tsao’s Chicken.”
“I like Christmas in America. Last year was the first time I experienced it here. It was really nice!”
Wesley Joseph, Haiti
“I chose Sinclair because it was a college with a good reputation. When I looked it up, I learned its name was really respected.”
“I was born in Haiti and lived there 25 years. After that, in 2018 I traveled to Brazil where I lived for about five years in Porto Alegre. It’s a very nice city. Last year I came to the U.S. to start a new life.”
“I hope things in my country get better because of course I love my homeland. I also hope to improve my education and plan to one day develop my own startup.”
Lan Meilin, Fujian Province, China
“After I pass the ESOL test I will think about my major. Right now, I just want to improve my language skills. I have three kids so when I do select a major it will likely be a shorter program, two years instead of four for example. I just hope I can maintain a balance and continue to study.”
“In China, I graduated as a business major so I think it will be easier to continue here. Maybe I’ll work for a Chinese company in Ohio. I have a big dream for my three kids. My older daughter is a high-school student and I hope she can achieve her dream college. She likes design and art. For my two youngest, I just hope they study and are happy.”
“I have been in Ohio for 10 years, so I miss my parents and family. Sometimes I miss our food and of course, my friends.”
“My favorite holiday is Lunar Year. Its like New Year’s here. All the family gathers in one place and we enjoy our time together.”
Minh Anh Nguyen, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
“The major I’d like to study is Electrical Engineering. I love making things and know there’s a big market for electricity related jobs.”
“I’m going to try to finish ESOL, major in engineering, and one day transfer to Wright State. If I can manage my time well I would eventually like to get a Master’s.”
“I hope that my family will always be ok, that my career goes well, and for everyone to live in a peaceful world.”
“I miss a lot of things. The food and culture especially but America is a really great place. You can meet people from all over the world, learn about their culture and food.”
“It’s got to be Tet, which is the Chinese New Year. It’s a holiday where family reunites in one place to celebrate together for two weeks. We go to our hometown and visit everyone there, celebrate, drink, and have a good time.”
Onesphore Niyitangimpano, Kigali, Rwanda
“Currently I’m taking some healthcare training in surgical instruments. After that I will move to civil engineering. That’s what I was doing in my country and plan to take again to do it here.”
“I need work hard and would one day like to start a family.”
“Christmas. As a Christian it’s a special time for me. That’s the day where I remember my savior. I feel happy and at peace on that day.”
Deborah Oluduyile, Lagos State, Nigeria
“I pray that God helps me make it here. I would like to be a traveling nurse, go around the country to take care of people. And if I have the opportunity I’ll help people back in my country too.”
“I miss the weather back home. We have summer all-year round. The highest it can get is about 50-60 degrees and that’s only for two weeks. We aren’t used to the cold like it is here.”
“Christmas. As a Christian, that’s time I like to spend in church. We celebrate by visiting family and old friends.”
Paulo Sebastian Pedrahito Lopez, Peru
“I plan to study business management and marketing. I want to make my own clothing line but my dream is to become a professional soccer player.”
“Definitely Christmas. I get to spend time in my family and we eat a lot of good food.”
Esther Quintanilla, Trujillo, Honduras
“I want to get my career started so that one day I can become a chef. I love cooking traditional Honduran food and want to learn other types of cuisine.”
“In the future I hope to open a restaurant and be with my family. I want my son to live a good life.”
“I like Christmas because I get to hang out with my family and friends.”
Alexis Ukurikiyeyezu , Kigali, Rwanda
“I want to be a surgical instrument technician. I’d like to change careers and I think there is a good opportunity in the health industry. I also like that it’s a chance to take care of others.”
“To live, help my kids grow, and obtain a good life.”
“Christmas. I’m Catholic and it’s a family holiday for us.”
Sayuri Ulsan, Okinawa, Japan
“Right now I’m doing things step by step and am focused on ESOL. In the future, however, its my dream to be a counsellor helping patients or kids.”
“I do miss the food and the weather. Ohio is a little too cold for me. Okinawa is usually warm most of the year. My island, however, is relaxed like it is in America so I am comfortable here.”
“New year’s. In Japan during we go to shrines, clean our homes, make traditional food, meet family, and wear nice clothes. It’s like Christmas is here.”
Fidele Kirezi Cyisa , Rwanda
“I applied to other places and when I looked at everything Sinclair was the best fit for me. It is really flexible as well which is good because I’m working. That makes it a lot easier to adapt.”
“My dream is to work on software development and maybe do a bit of robotics. I used to work on different projects as a refugee in Uganda and that is where I got some experience programming robotics. Then I got a chance to take an MIT course which really helped me develop. That’s why here I want to focus on my strengths first.”
“Definitely Christmas. In our country it’s a chance for people to come together.”
Ismael David Mujahid, Executive Editor