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'Living With Differences'

scott iskowitz/ THe Tampa Tribune

Safwat Elsharkawi,25, of Egypt listens to HCC teacher Zach Cronin during Principals of Macro Economics class at HCC in Ybor City.

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By JANIS D. FROELICH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 2, 2008

Updated: 01/31/2008 08:22 pm

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YBOR CITY - Writing on a whiteboard and offering an animated lecture, Zach Cronin is teaching principles of macroeconomics to 30 or so students, about half of them from outside the United States.

Of the international students, Cronin said, "I have high expectations for them. I figure they came all this way, they're not here to mess around."

Hillsborough Community College Ybor City also has high expectations for the 14 students from Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, South Africa and Brazil, who are on campus as part of a U.S. State Department grant program. This is a first for HCC Ybor City.

Twelve of the students are here to study business and two media, but the goal is for them to see U.S. democracy in an everyday light, HCC Dean Jack Evans said.

"They are learning to live with differences," he said. "For example, their religions are all different but they seem to be working things out well."

Evans said the program has had "a couple bumps in the road."

Gathered in a conference room after their economics class Monday, the students weren't shy about discussing the bumps.

Hoda Garhy, 26, of Egypt, said her physical disability (she walks with a limp) makes it difficult to catch a bus to campus. The students have settled into a Carrollwood apartment complex after a few months of living with host families.

"I'm almost too tired for my studies because of all the walking," Garhy said. "It takes me about 25 minutes to reach the bus stop."

But Garhy said she draws inspiration from her host family.

"They tell me to be patient and strong," she said. "But they made it so easy when I lived with them. The family understood I pray five times a day, things like that."

The students also like their HCC teachers.

Safwat Elsharkawi, 25, of Egypt, said he understands the math in Cronin's economics class, although "the language barrier is sometimes difficult." But he said Cronin is willing to talk after class.

Math problems aside, it's the culture that has perplexed South Africa's Thulani Mahlangu, 23. She doesn't understand Americans' obsession with their pets.

"They sleep with their cats and dogs," she said, wide-eyed. "The pets come to the table."

Her theory about this attachment: Children leave home at 18 in the United States, and their parents are lonely.

Mahlangu said she expected "a small heaven" coming here.

"I expected too much," she said.

One thing she hasn't liked is the richness and sweetness of food.

"We've all gained weight," she said, laughing.

Ramy Aroub, 26, of Egypt, said he expected Americans to be fanatical about politics and religion.

"They're not at all," Aroub said. "They're friendly and fun. They like football and TV!"

Josenildo Da Silva, 23, of Brazil, misses his brother and mother. He was e-mailing and calling home constantly when he arrived in August. Now he said his calls home are short and to the point.

"I say, 'I'm OK,' and hang up," he said, adding that he's busy with new friends and studies.

Like most of the students, Da Silva plans to continue his schooling. He speaks Portuguese and English but would love to learn Spanish to help him in an international business career.

The program, which ends July 1, leads to a J. William Fulbright foreign student certification for the students. The certification carries prestige as they continue their studies, Evans said.

Expenses are covered for the students, including tuition, as part of a $3 million nationwide community college project.

Michael Brennan, HCC's executive director of international education, said the students spent the holidays as interns at Kforce, a staffing company, which "was really invaluable." He said they hope to become active in their communities, and some might work at embassies.

"Most of these students will go back to their countries and become leaders at some point," Brennan said. "So it's interesting to see them in these early stages."

Rofhina Godzwara, 24, hopes his native South Africa will tap his knowledge.

"I would think that those of us who have had international exposure would be influential," he said.

What he has learned is that Americans have the best technology that most people seem to know how to use.

"You also have the best employees," he said, then added with a smile, "in theory."

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.

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