From the Outside Looking In

By Kevin Mugo
Staff Writer

Nathaniel Mwane is an international student from Kenya.
“I joined Georgia College & State University in the spring of 2001, and I am currently majoring in Computer Science,” said Mwane.
The American belief in freedom of speech greatly appeals to Mwane.
“In Kenya, as in many countries today, people do not have the complete freedom to express themselves. I admire the manner in which Americans have continually defended their right to expression without reprimand or retribution,” said Mwane.
However, Mwane is disturbed by the stereotypes relating to minorities.
“Blacks and Hispanics are sometimes portrayed as being lazy underachievers or drug addicted criminals. As a result, minorities often have to work twice as hard to get half as far,” said Mwane.
He believes that Americans would find the Kenyan culture very appealing.
“Kenya has many excellent traditional dishes. The land is truly magnificent with an abundance of flora and fauna, and, most importantly, the people are very friendly and hospitable,” said Mwane.
The depiction of Kenya in the media as being extensively rural and undeveloped is disturbing to Mwane.
“Television shows such as ‘Survivor Africa,’ which was shot in a remote part of the country, it has Americans convinced that Kenya and Africa as a whole is a wild and untamed bush land. I have been asked, on more than one occasion, if we Kenyans had houses to live in or clothes to wear. This could not be further from the truth in light of the social and technological strides that Africa has made,” said Mwane.
Mwane feels that international students tend to be more sensitive to international affairs than American students.
“Many internationals, especially from the third-world countries, are often better able to relate to certain aspects such as civil conflicts or disease outbreaks because they have often experienced them in their own home countries,” said Mwane. “I find that their global perspective pushes international students not only to excel but also to strive to make a difference in their home countries and at a global level.”
Mwane would like to see an increase in the number of degree programs offered at GC&SU.
“Especially at the graduate level, there is a very limited selection of degree programs to choose from. If there were a greater number of scholarships for international students, as well as more degree programs, there would surely be an increase in international student enrollment,” said Mwane.
Nathaniel Mwane is a member of GC&SU’s cross-country team and is also one of the many international students who actively endeavor to contribute both academically and athletically to GC&SU, proving that diversity is not a weakness but a focal strength here at GC&SU.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 12 2002. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry