Castleton Spartan

Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: News

A community advisor's monthly poster asks students to "celebrate diversity." Photo by Janet Gillett

As I listened to the news this week and continued to pursue this story, I realized its need. Some students who read the last one told me that they had no idea Castleton has international students. One sat at lunch with a student from the first story. This student told me that, even though she was from here, she shared some of the same experiences and appreciated the story for informing her. I was worried as to how students would react to such an article and to know that I can maybe bridge a small gap doing what I love, writing is a pleasure.

Talking with these students has been an eye-opening experience (Majur almost had me on the brink of tears as he explained his story and his ambitions). I'm ultimately satisfied with everything, yet I agree with many of the students in the regard that Castleton needs some sort of group to support all its students needs, especially those from other countries and backgrounds.

Intercultural understanding is something that can enrich us. I have been enriched. Cristiana thanked me and I ultimately gained a little bit of understanding from these students who are often not heard from so much.

Taking life as it comes

My name is Majur Makor. I come from a small town of Bor, the Upper Nile Province, located in southern Sudan. I left my country as a result of a war: civil war, and war to neighboring countries, Ethiopia and Kenya.

I was encouraged by my father to leave and get an education wherever it might be, and to get out of the war that many people in my area suffered dearly.

I went to Kenya where I was able to finish my secondary school certificate. After school, I began to have access to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), responsible for coordinating the process of people hoping to resettle to countries such as, Australia, the Netherlands and the United States.

Only people that came from war affected areas were promised acceptance. That's how my journey began.

I was admitted to the United States in 2003 and eventually ended up in Vermont through the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program (VRRP). I was placed with a host family from Underhill, Vermont who helped me adjust. My new life in the states was totally foreign and I had to experience a lot of changes such as: seasonal changes, snow, American culture, and American English. I speak Dinka, my native language, as well as Arabic, Swahili, and English.

Continued...

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