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In the U.S., newly arriving African student sees “opportunities” that many from Africa, elsewhere, don’t see

James Fasuekoi

2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

By James Kokulo Fasuekoi|Editor-Publisher

Darcy is among the newest African students who will be studying at the St. Cloud State University this summer. He’s actually from Burundi, East Africa, he told this writer Tuesday, near his new campus, the SCSU. 

Darcy is young and seems to be in his early 20s. On Tuesday, he ventured outside of his campus, located along the banks of the Mississippi River, trying to take care of a few things, plus find his way around his new city before classes can begin soon.  

He arrived here just a short while ago and hasn’t fully settled down yet. But despite being new to America, Darcy has already noticed that there are plenty of “opportunities” here in Minnesota, yea, the USA in fields that he didn’t name.

A tour guard leads new students Tuesday for a tour of the campus.

He’s among perhaps a few young Africans coming to the Great United States who sees  plenty of opportunities here including studying in various fields, and appears ready to explore them for the benefits of his nation and people plus the world at large.

The question however remains, how many immigrants, particularly, from African descent (including the Republic of Liberia), arriving into the United States that recognize such huge blessings, or see these opportunities?

Foreign Students Office staff Sharveen mounts the flag of an African country on campus.

Of course, not many young African folks see these blessings. But 2 Timothy 2:15 says “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Also, John 9:4 says “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.“

Certainly, America has plenty of “openings” for incoming curious immigrant-students such as Darcy, who arrives with a set goal; ignoring the endless pleasures and glamorous life that have blinded many others and left them without a career in the Land of plenty. 

As new students arrive on campus, some old ones are leaving: Two Asian students head to a shuttle station Tuesday, perhaps, for vacation.

For instance, until the Donald Trump administration, an asylee would enter a college or university without a Green Card and would still be allowed in most cases, to pay the same tuition as resident-students, rather than be required to pay tuition as “foreign student.”

Besides,  there were also plenty of free grants available at colleges and universities around 2007 through 2017, in much of North America, to those who needed such assistance. It’s possible they might still be available but one needs to check them out. 

Sharveen gleefully picks among a list of international flags per his list.

Back at St. Cloud States University, Tuesday, the campus tour guards led various groups of new arrivals, showing them everything about the SCSU where many might be for the next four years or so.

At the other end of campus, Sharveen, a staff member working with SCSU’s Foreign Students Office, rolled out a large barrel filled with flags of the nations of the world. They included: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iraq, Japan, Kenya, Mali, Nepal, Nigeria Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda. 

The Republics of Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast were not among this list.

Banner photograph: Sharveen working Tuesday, to put up international flags, welcoming foreign students to the SCSU. ALL PHOTOGRAPHS BY JAMES KOKULO FASUEKOI

EDITOR’S NOTE: WE AT GLOBAL EKKLESIA SUPPORT EDUCATION, PLUS THE WORK OF GOD!!!

FORMER LIBERIAN VICE PRESIDENT HARRY F. MONIBA ONCE SAID “IF YOU THINK EDUCATION IS EXPENSIVE TRY IGNORANCE!”