On November 19, 2013, teacher Nahla Haidar alongside six international students at HFCC took to the stage to explain their lives as students that live abroad in America. The lecture was free to the public and is one of many more lectures at HFCC that are designed to open a new world for students to experience other cultures, religions and forms opportunities.

John Carroll, HFCC counselor, opened the lecture with Bill Secrest, professor of World Religions, adding some notes for the audience. Nahla Haidar moderated the lecture for the six students: Parth Dholakia from India, Ebrahim Ahmed from Bahrain, Abbas Majed from Lebanon, Gjeorgjia Lilo from Albania but raised in Greece, Hussein Al-Sabbahi from Yemen and Martin Mbugua from Kenya.

“The purpose of this lecture is for our international students to share their experience and their culture,” Ms. Haidar said. The lecture included a panel of discussion that allowed open conversation between audience members and the international students.

The first student to speak was Parth, a student who immigrated to America with his family for a better education for himself and his sister. Part mentioned that “The transition wasn’t easy but it was doable.”

Lebanese student Abbas Majed said of his country that, “Lebanon is a very sophisticated but complicated country. There are just no job opportunities in Lebanon.” This led Abbas to travel to America in search of furthering his education and “to open the door to allow my voice to be heard.”

Hussein of Yemen said that his main struggle with being an international student was “struggling with English and being able to understand one another.” Although it has gotten easier, the difficulties lie ahead. One main difference that all international students spoke of is the difference of climate. The students joke of Michigan’s cold weather and the difficulties of adapting to the weather differences.

Gjeorgjia Lilo originally from Albania but raised in Greece is studying architecture at HFCC. She came to America alone and while she misses her family, she proudly said, “I have no regrets.”

Ebrahim of Bahrain lives with his cousins in Michigan who are his link to back home. He’s at HFCC to gain his Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering. Ebrahim explained to the audience that it is much simpler to work back home in Bahrain with an American degree.

The last student to speak was Martin of Kenya. He explained the diversity of Kenya and how despite its technological advances, communicating with home was still a difficult task to accomplish due to the time differences. Martin came to America for a better opportunity to return home and obtain a more privileged job.

All students introduced the audience to the difficulties of being an international student, but the most important thing the audience learned is despite everything, these students are young and have a thirst for knowledge. They all are outstanding members of society and deserved the recognition they received.