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Campus Review
November 13, 2013
Page 4
New Zealand Fulbright Scholar Lectures Improve
Education and Futures of Clayton State Students
Transcending Borders to Make Dreams Real
By Samantha Watson
Professor Ana Terry, a Fulbright Scholar
from New Zealand visiting Southern
Polytechnic State University this academ-
ic year, recently hosted two presentations
at Clayton State University.
The first lecture, which was on new media
arts, was very beneficial to the Clayton
State Visual and Performing Arts (VPA)
students and especially to Communication
and Media Studies majors. The second
lecture was an enticing look into Maori
society and cultural development, which
had a wide appeal for faculty and students
on campus.
Being an expert in the areas of graphic
design and digital arts, as well as being an
artist herself, Terry gave an inspiring,
influential, and interesting presentation on
new media arts.
“I learned things that I have yet to learn in
a classroom and that is valuable to my
future in the CMS program and ultimate-
ly to my career,” comments Tamar
Nowell, a pre-CMS student. “I’m so glad
I came because I feel more prepared for
my upper division classes.”
Terry reached more than just VPA stu-
dents and faculty with her presentations.
Jade Salaz, a psychology major, com-
ments that even though she isn’t in the
media or arts field, she is glad she attend-
ed the lectures.
“I learned a lot from her presentation on
Maori culture and society. It is always
interesting to hear how cultures vary, and
having knowledge about cultural differ-
ences will help me in my psychology
career,” states Salaz.
Malcolm Hirsh, a marketing major, is also
pleased with his decision to attend the
Maori culture lecture.
“I went because I’m interested in different
cultures and I’ve always been interested
in New Zealand,” comments Hirsh.
“This, plus the Matt Forger lecture was
inspiring and helpful to me, I’m thankful
Clayton State got these wonderful people
to present for the students. I hope to see
more opportunities like this on campus,”
comments Nowell.
One of the most diverse campuses in the
South, Clayton State University continues
to welcome and retain more and more
international students. Clayton State and
the Laker community have been recog-
nized by many international students as
agents of inspiration and aid in academics,
cultural awareness, and social engage-
ment.
“From the first day I visited the school I
felt I was a part of it, not just an interna-
tional student,” admits Anas Alghifily, a
graduate student from Saudi Arabia. He
professed that he was initially afraid of
rejection, but found that, “student and fac-
ulty at Clayton State like to welcome
international students and make them feel
at home.”
Alghifily, like many other international
students from Saudi Arabia choose
Clayton State for its Masters of Business
Administration program. He also points
out that the campuses location near
Atlanta was a big selling point for him.
Joseph Mbogo, an undergrad business stu-
dent from Kenya, also professes that the
location along with its, “good reputation”
is why he chose Clayton State. Mbogo
states that he likes that the school is easi-
ly accessible and that the classes are
smaller and allow for, “one on one student
and professor interaction unlike big
schools.”
Mbogo also explains how big of a help the
International Student Services Office has
been to him.
“ISSO has helped me apply and reapply
for approved off campus work authoriza-
tion. This has made it possible for me to
complete my degree,” he says
Because of Clayton State’s international
partnerships and presence, some immi-
grating students were referred to the
school by connections they had at home.
This was the case for Roger Bonfiace, a
Masters of Business Administration stu-
dent from South Africa. He comments that
his soccer coach in South Africa advised
him that Clayton State was a great univer-
sity.
“Clayton State is a hidden gem,” Bonfiace
exclaims. “It has easy access to Atlanta
where something is always going on and
is a great value for my expense.”
He explains that the faculty, campus, and
sports are the things he likes most about
the school and that the experience has
been, “a dream come true.”
Clayton State doesn’t let U.S. borders stop
it from helping make students dreams be
made real.