Angle

Issue date: 12/26/05 Section: Cougar's Tale

Wambua Mwanthi

Mwende Mwanthi

Eunice Asomaning

Three of CCC's international students, Wambua Munyithia Mwanthi, from Nairobi, Kenya; Mwende Mwikali Mwanthi, Wambua's sister, also from Nairobi; and Eunice Akua Safoah Asomaning, from Accra, Ghana, shared their perspectives about life at CCC and in America.

Wambua Mwanthi, a junior mathematics major, says he would like to be a mechanical engineer when he graduates.

In addition to his classes, Mwanthi participates in extra-curricular activities. He was in the fall play, "You Can't Take It With You." Mwanthi said he was very excited because he did not realize the experience would be so enjoyable. He also spends some free time playing ping pong.

Mwanthi also holds two campus jobs, working for the campus security and in custodial services.

Mwanthi is surprised at some of the misconceptions about his home country. For example, people ask him "Do you have airports in Kenya?"

Not only does he assure people that Kenya has airports, but on occasion Mwanthi flies into Nairobi. He said it takes about 20 hours to fly to Kenya.

Missing his parents and friends at home, Mwanthi said he isn't able to travel often, but certainly does when he can. It has been about two years since he has been to Kenya.

As an international student, Mwanthi says he has great opportunity for witnessing, because many people are interested in talking with him because he is from a different culture.

Mwende Mwanthi, a junior mathematics major, is Wambua's sister. She enjoys her studies and intends to work for a missions organization, when she graduates.

Sharing one major adjustment to American life, Mwende said she had to learn to walk faster, in order to be on time. She said, "Back home we go by African time, which means that if I say I will be somewhere at 4:00 p.m., then I will be there at around 4:45 p.m.

Mwende misses the year-round warm weather of Kenya, and was excited to be able to spend Christmas at home this year. "I haven't been home since I came here two years ago. Thankfully, I am going home for Christmas break."

She enjoys the multi-cultural experience at CCC. "I just love being able to talk a different language. I love seeing my unit mates' expressions when I switch from English to Swahili, to talk to my Kenyan friends!"

Working two campus jobs, Mwende works in the registrar's office and the campus post office. When not attending classes or studying for them, or working at her two jobs, Mwende said she enjoys sleeping.

Eunice Asomaning is a junior pre-med student from Ghana, though her family has moved to Kenya. Upon graduation, Eunice intends to go to medical school.

Keeping busy, in addition to her studies, Eunice is in the CCC Chorale, a devotional leader, and also works in the Centre Court Café.

Eunice said she misses her friends and church in Ghana, and her family. She remembers fondly simple things, like walking down the street at home.

She is spending Christmas in Kenya this year. Eunice remarked about the long travel time, including the 20-hour flight to Kenya. "And there's an eight-hour layover in Amsterdam and sometimes a two-hour layover in Detroit."

Since her family moved to Kenya, Eunice seldom travels to Ghana; she goes to wherever her family is at Christmas. "The last time I went to Ghana was after I graduated from high school because my family visits there only in the summers. I usually work at CCC during the summer."

Eunice is enjoying going to school at Clearwater Christian College, saying "It prepares me to be able to relate to different cultures."

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