Wednesday, December 6, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
Holiday Guide
International students celebrate far from home
By Adam Pracht
Kansan correspondent
The air grows frosty and lights line the windows of countless downtown shops. Nativities, Santas and candles appear everywhere. There's no doubt — the holiday season is here. No matter what your beliefs, it's a special time to reflect and join with family and friends.
Imagine for a second that those family and friends are 3,721 miles away
This is the situation Manuel Laura, Lima, Peru, sophomore, finds himself in every year. He is one of 1,534 students from 111 countries studying at the University of Kansas.
This year, however, Laura is fortunate. He will be able to return home to spend Christmas with his parents and younger sister. But the journey back to Peru can be expensive. The price for a ticket from Lawrence to Peru ranges from $750 on Christmas Eve to $1,100 on Dec. 21.
Manuel said the money is well worth getting back to his family.
"The first semester, I would
have told you (that I miss) my girlfriend and my friends, but I think as time goes by, I miss my parents a lot more," he said. "Sometimes I feel like crying because they are not here with me when I need them. I think this fact makes me mature faster."
Andres Vicuna, Tingo Maria, Peru, sophomore, won't be able to return to his small hometown in the jungle of Peru, but that doesn't mean he isn't staying with family.
"My sister lives in Arizona," he said. "I think I'm going to go to visit her."
He said the time away from home still was difficult.
"I miss my friends and my brothers." he said.
Leaving home to go to school in Lawrence wasn't an easy choice for Vicuna and his family, but they believed it was for the best.
"They were sad I was leaving, but they were happy for the opportunities," he said. "It's big in Peru if someone goes to another country to study."
However, being away from home in the United States wasn't
all bad. Vicuna said.
"I'm just glad that I have family here and I will be able to spend time with them," he said. "Even though I can't get back to my country to be with all my family, I'm just happy I can be with other people."
Being in the United States has other benefits as well.
"I love the lights," he said. "We don't do that in Peru. And I like the commercials."
Moussa Sissoko, Program Coordinator at the Office of International Student Services, said many options existed for international students who couldn't make it home for the holidays.
This year, the office sponsored the Betty Grimwood Thanksgiving Home Stay. This program enabled 34 students to spend Thanksgiving with 24 families in Lawrence, Kansas City and other cities throughout Kansas.
Sissoko also mentioned other options.
"Students who live in the dorms can stay with their friends," he said. "They can also talk with nationality groups that can help them find a place to stay.
McColum also remains open over the holidays."
Many foreign students feel at home because of the similarities between Christmas abroad and Christmas in the United States.
Laura said when he returned to Peru, he would celebrate a Christmas very similar to the holidays he had spent in the United States.
"I remember when I was a little kid, my grandpa would dress himself as Santa Claus," he recalled. "He would give us (all the grandchildren) our presents. Before that, all the family would uncover baby Jesus (in the nativity set), who supposedly was born that day. We would all hold a prayer. Right after, we would all sit around the table, and eat turkey and stuffing."
vicuna agreed the traditions in other countries were similar to those in the United States.
"I had dinner at a friend's house and they had the Christmas tree. They had a big turkey, everything that you usually see at Christmas," he said. "I really don't see much of a difference."
- Edited by Kayla Monson
New year's dawn inspires resolutions
By Debra Steele
By Debra Steele
Special to the Kansan
Paige Baraban. Leawood senior, has resolved to stop gossiping for the new year.
"I can't help myself," she said, "I get with my friends and we just start blabbing."
Kate Williams, Wichita junior,
has a broader resolution.
"I want to improve every thing." she said.
Jim Millaway, Topeka sophomore, said, "I just want to kiss a girl on the lips."
This new year, many KU students will resolve to lose weight, eat healthier, quit bad habits, and study more.
According to Real Simple magazine, the best way to keep a resolution is to have a plan. The
first thing to do is set an attainable goal. For some people, it may be easier to keep a resolution if they do it with a friend to keep them motivated.
If that doesn't work, there are many resources at the University of Kansas that can help students keep their resolutions. For those looking to quit smoking, there is a smoking-cessation program at Watkins Memorial Health Center that is free to students.
"We work with students and create plans to help students become nicotine-free," said Janis Ellis-Calpool, health educator at Watkins Health Center.
In addition, Watkins has a dietitian who will work one-on-one with students to help them lose
"I resolve to get in shape this year. I've got to get rid of these love handles."
Greg Geras
Kanorado freshman
weight in a healthy manner.
Students such as Greg Geras, Kanorado freshman, are making fitness a priority.
"I resolve to get in shape this year. I've got to lose these love handles," he said.
Robinson Center can help students get into shape after eating too many holiday goodies. There are two gyms, cardio equipment, weights and pools.
In addition, the KU Fit
Program offers aerobics and personal trainers.
"We see a real increase in attendance between January and Spring Break" said Mary Chappell, director of recreation services.
There are many options, from intermurals to taking an activity course in spinning or kickboxing, to name a few. Chappell also said that Anschutz Sports Pavilion is open to students who want to walk or run around the track.
For many students, the new year will bring more interesting resolutions.
Chad Rutledge, Tulsa senior,
said, "I resolve to win
Powerball so I can build a golf
course."
Edited by Jill Pittman
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