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Nepalese student discovers comfort, hospitality in America |
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Thursday, 13 September 2007 |
 | Bhandary
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by BLAIR RICHARDSON
Intern News Reporter
Taking on a heavy course load, balancing social, academic and recreational life, and cramming for the ever-dreaded class exams is a reality for college students.
As if that was not enough, adding a language barrier is only expected to make things more difficult.
This is the reality for Nepalese student Ashma Bhandary, 21, of Kathmandu.
Though
her language skills would be desirable to most foreign students seeking
a degree in the United States, the strong accent found in Boone can
certainly make for an even greater challenge.
Following in her brother Aayush’s footsteps Bhandary is seeking a
degree at Appalachian State University in Healthcare Management.
Seeking a degree in the United States was the only option for Bhandary,
as “the [higher] education of females is not promoted in Nepal - it
ends with the completion of high school.”
This educational experience for Bhandary does not come without a price, however.
At an exchange rate of one American dollar for 75 Rupee, the Nepalese
currency, the cost of tuition, twenty thousand dollars per academic
year, is a burden on her family.
Scholarships are not offered for out-of-country students attending
public universities. Understanding of the hardship placed on her
family, Bhandary is “thankful for the opportunity to follow her dreams
[as] women her age traditionally live at home [un-educated] until
married,” she said.
Upon completion of her academic year at Appalachian, Bhandary plans to attend graduate school in Chicago.
Bhandary said, “Nepalese think Americans to be fun loving and admirable.”
This perception is what brought Bhandary to the United States.
Bhandary’s favorite aspect of the American culture is the food.
“In America, the food is better but in a fattening way,” she said.
The cuisine of Nepal consists mainly of rice, curry, and tortillas, she said.
While Bhandary is not an exchange student, her encounters and
experiences with exchange students through the Department of
International Affairs leads her to recommend studying abroad to
everyone who may show an interest, she said.
Proving daily that every individual has the right and ability to become
anything that he or she may wish, as an international student or
otherwise, Bhandary is an inspiration to everyone she meets.
Bhandary said she will remain “forever thankful for the hospitality of
the professors, the community and the students at Appalachian [that
welcomed her into their lives] when she was new to the country.”
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