Students describe life overseas
Chantel Martin
Section: News
Congo
Tyler Junior College student Michael Okito moved from Congo in order to attend college in America.
"Congo is right in the middle of Africa," he said. "It's always hot and we probably get one month of rain."
Okito said that Congo is more of a city and it's nothing like what is shown on TV.
"My city is just like Tyler," he said. "It's just not as developed."
Other preconceived notions about Africa include people being malnourished, and that residents live in huts.
"The houses we have are pretty big," Okito said. "Mine even has a pool."
Okito said the wildlife in Congo is also different from what people expect.
"I have never seen any wild animals in Africa," he said. "It might be because I stay in the city and we have zoos there. But it's not like you land at the airport in Africa and see a wild zebra running by."
Okito said famous Amercian music artists have also come to Congo.
"About two years ago The Game came to Congo," he said. "We've also had Sisqo and Shaggy. Congo even hosted the fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman."
Another form of entertainment for residents in Africa includes soccer.
"Soccer is a big sport," Okito said. "It's like football here."
Okito said that Africans celebrate many of the same holidays as Americans.
"We have Easter and Independence Day," he said. "We celebrate Christmas, however, it doesn't snow in Africa. So the whole Santa thing doesn't really work."
Okito said "Hotel Rwanda" was one of the few portrayals of Africa that was valid.
"That was a true story," he said. "Things were really like that and in some places they are still like that."
Tokyo
Ever since she was 9 years old Shizuka Kikuchi has been traveling by herself, back and forth, to her hometown of Tokyo, Japan. Although she currently lives in America, Kikuchi returns to Tokyo to visit her family for the summer.
"It's a 14-hour flight," she said. "But there is no three-hour stop in between."
Tyler Junior College student Michael Okito moved from Congo in order to attend college in America.
"Congo is right in the middle of Africa," he said. "It's always hot and we probably get one month of rain."
Okito said that Congo is more of a city and it's nothing like what is shown on TV.
"My city is just like Tyler," he said. "It's just not as developed."
Other preconceived notions about Africa include people being malnourished, and that residents live in huts.
"The houses we have are pretty big," Okito said. "Mine even has a pool."
Okito said the wildlife in Congo is also different from what people expect.
"I have never seen any wild animals in Africa," he said. "It might be because I stay in the city and we have zoos there. But it's not like you land at the airport in Africa and see a wild zebra running by."
Okito said famous Amercian music artists have also come to Congo.
"About two years ago The Game came to Congo," he said. "We've also had Sisqo and Shaggy. Congo even hosted the fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman."
Another form of entertainment for residents in Africa includes soccer.
"Soccer is a big sport," Okito said. "It's like football here."
Okito said that Africans celebrate many of the same holidays as Americans.
"We have Easter and Independence Day," he said. "We celebrate Christmas, however, it doesn't snow in Africa. So the whole Santa thing doesn't really work."
Okito said "Hotel Rwanda" was one of the few portrayals of Africa that was valid.
"That was a true story," he said. "Things were really like that and in some places they are still like that."
Tokyo
Ever since she was 9 years old Shizuka Kikuchi has been traveling by herself, back and forth, to her hometown of Tokyo, Japan. Although she currently lives in America, Kikuchi returns to Tokyo to visit her family for the summer.
"It's a 14-hour flight," she said. "But there is no three-hour stop in between."
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