Eugene weekly., October 01, 2009, Page 13, Image 13

Eugene Weekly’s Back to Campus 2009
Lenana Faraj, freshman, international
student from Kenya
Major: political science, with a minor in
environmental studies
“I’m really loving Eugene. It’s a lovely
place. No monkeys jumping in trees.”
“I want to go back home [to Kenya] and
advocate for people. Lots of kids don’t
have schools. I want to advocate for a
clear and transparent government.”
On how ignorant most Americans are
about the “country” of Africa: “I really don’t
blame anybody. Lots of what’s portrayed is
unreal. That’s what I’m here for, to bridge
the cultural gap.”
On coming to Eugene from Kenya:
“There was a huge culture shock. People
here are a lot more concerned with color
coordination. A lot more self-expression
here than there was in Africa. I was kind of
shocked.”
On visiting Las Vegas over the summer
break: “It was very bright. A very crowded,
very hot place to live.”
Caitlin Genrich, freshman
Major: undecided
Morganne Hatfi eld, freshman
Major: business
On education versus making a living:
“For me, it’s kind of both, like having a
job that keeps you excited. I’m not so
concerned about just having a job and
paying the bills.”
“I’m not really worried about jobs after
school yet. I’m just kind of focused on
getting through my fi rst year. Coming to
college, I’m going to be prepared for a job.”
“If I end up taking some classes and
they end up interesting me more than
business, I can always switch. It’s not set in
stone for me.”
Strangest thing in Eugene: “There was
a fraternity dance and the basement was
a sauna steamer. Everybody was just
sweating. People were loving it.”
What worries her: “Having enough time
to try everything I want to try. Hopefully I
can have enough time to try a ton of new
things.”
Life after college: “I’d either want to start
my own business, or go into marketing. I
want to combine marketing with my creative
side.”
Education versus making a living: “They
kind of go hand-in-hand. College prepares
you for the real world.”
On UW versus UO: “I got into UW but
I didn’t really like it there — too big and
cliquey. I just wanted to get away and start
over.”
Strangest thing seen in Eugene: Outside
the EMU, “these old guys in their 60s
reciting and yelling stuff. I don’t really know
what it’s about.”
Also: “We have to separate all our trash.
It’s frustrating, because I don’t know what’s
compost. That’s the most frustrating thing
so far.”
“There’s so much going on, it’s a little
overwhelming. I’m a little worried about
fi nding my true friends here. The past few
days here it’s been a little crazy.”
“Go Ducks!”
and he plans on taking what he learns back
to Africa. “I want to go back home and
advocate for people,” he said, adding that in
Kenya “lots of kids don’t have schools” and
the country lacks a “clear and transparent
government.”
As a member of the Maasai tribe —
“one of the only tribes that has kept African
traditions and not modernized,” Faraj said
that coming to Eugene provided something
of a cultural shock. “People here are a lot
more concerned with color coordination,”
he said, adding that in general there is “a
lot more self-expression here than there was
in Africa,” especially regarding tattoos and
body piercing.
Faraj recently had opportunity to meet
the UO’s new president, Richard Lariviere,
at a function at the Downtown Athletic
Club. “He seemed like a very nice guy,” he
said, adding that in the wake of the Duck’s
LaGarrette Blount punching incident,
Lariviere spent time speaking about the
importance of honor and sportsmanship.
“He seemed like a very good president,”
Faraj said.
ew
Julie Cendejas, freshman
Major: business
Dave Braithwaite, freshman
Major: undecided
Jane Christen, freshman
Major: environmental science
“I’d rather be fulfi lled with knowledge
and know what’s going on than have a big
paycheck.”
“I really believe I can make my mark
doing whatever I’m passionate about.”
On Eugene: “I’ve seen quite strange
things. I got to meet Frog. He’s awesome.”
Jane Christen, an environmental science
major, said the election of Barack Obama,
along with his broad support of “green”
technology, might be the harbinger for a shift
in our national economy, one opening up new
jobs for a workforce trained in conservation
and eco-innovation. “I really believe that
I can make my mark doing whatever I’m
passionate about,” Christen said, adding that
making a living and helping out needn’t be
mutually exclusive terms anymore.
And so it goes for many students. “I’d
rather be fi lled with knowledge and know
what’s going on than have a big paycheck,”
said freshman Dave Braithwaite, who is
undecided when it comes to his major.
“I’m not really worried about jobs after
school yet,” said freshman Julie Cendejas, a
business major. “I’m just kind of focused on
getting through my fi rst year.”
Journalism major Keri Anderson said
that, when it comes to making a living, “It’s
important to do something that you enjoy.”
Anderson, who co-edited her high school
newspaper, said she’s always loved writing
and looks forward to “making a career where
you can do that every day.”
Joey Brady (aka “Joey Beats”), a double
major in economics and math, said that when
it comes to the tension between making a
living and being smart, “one follows the
other, hopefully.” After attending the London
School of Economics this past summer, the
junior is turning theory to praxis by opening
up a quesadilla club, Wraps by Beats,
which had its late-night grand opening
Sept. 24. “That’s what I’m doing to help
the economy,” Brady said. “Bad times call
for entrepreneurship,” he said. “Can’t fi nd a
job? Start a new one.”
He’s going to be fi ne. As will international
student Lenana Faraj, a native of Kenya
who this term is transferring to the UO from
LCC. “I really love Eugene. It’s a lovely
place,” he said, noting in particular the lack
of “monkeys jumping from trees.”
Faraj is majoring in political science
with a minor in environmental studies,
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Training is everything. The peach
was once a bitter almond; caulifl ower
is nothing but Cabbage with a
College Education . — Mark Twain
EUGENE WEEKLY OCTOBER 1, 2009 13