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Iola, Kansas – and again this small town attracts people from opposite corners of the world.
Tom Yamamoto of Tokyo, Japan, and Kwame Boateng of Ghana, Africa, are two new international students who came to Allen Community College in the beginning of January 2014 to start their freshman semesters.
Tom, having been in the United States before, claims. “I’m glad I’m here again. There are no Japanese people around; that makes me happy.” Chuckling a little, he continues, “It’s not that I don’t like Japanese, but (it’s) more about my English and communication skills improvement.” Tom had studied ELC (English Language Course) in Oklahoma City University a year before he came to Kansas. He was able to increase his standardized test scores and be admitted as a full-time student at Allen.
Sharing his impressions of the Iola community after living in Tokyo, he admits that adjustment to a farming environment, tiny downtown and compacted college seemed like a big dilemma to him. “ I couldn’t believe there are no high buildings and escalators anymore,” Tom says, “I got used to a big city as Tokyo where streets life never quits.” But as school time began he gradually started getting used to his new “home” and new life here.
On the flip side, he admits that shopping in America is much more entertaining than it is in Tokyo. “The prices on food and cloth are reasonable enough to go shopping even every day. Comparing to Tokyo charges, I’m a rich guy here,” Tom says. Besides shopping Tom is deeply interested in traveling, and he desires to see as many states as possible and try anything he hadn’t experienced before.
The second character of Allen’s international pool is Kwame. He is a friend and roommate to Tom. The reason he came from the tropical Africa to the United States is his aspiration to computer science. “It’s rare for average person in Africa to have an easy access to modern technologies and appliances,” says Kwame. “That’s why I decided to major in technical sphere and afterward develop that arena in my home country.”
Unlike Tom, this is the first time for Kwame in America. As all international students he was undergoing culture shock in the beginning of his experience and discovered a lot of differences between Africa and America. “It was embarrassing to see guys with two earrings here; in Africa males don’t get used to such sort of accessories,” claims Kwame with surprise on his face. But as he was making more and more friends the boundaries between the two contrast cultures started to dissolve.The positive side of being in a small school is open-minded instructors and friendly student bodies, noted Kwame. He also likes the availability of extra help after classes.
Since Tom Yamamoto and Kwame Boateng share common a residence, classes and most importantly new life experiences with each other, it’s easier for both newcomers to overcome challenges and adjust to their new lives. Being a perfect place for education, Allen also proves to be a perfect rendezvous for people from the different parts of the globe to meet and become students as well as lifelong friends.