Inspire, Spring 2001

International Student Organization Scholarship International Student Organization Initiates Scholarship I nternational students weave a distinctive thread in the fabric of Cedarville culture. Other students comment that associating with international students has opened their eyes to what God is doing in other countries. Through relationships with internationals, students come to know parts of the world they may never visit. The International Student Organization was founded in 1996 to support international students at Cedarville and to increase awareness of international issues among Cedarville students and in the broader Cedarville community. Fernanda Fernandes , a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a senior at Cedarville, studying nursing with a cross-cultural emphasis. She came to Cedarville to learn her profession within a Christian framework, an opportunity that did not exist in Brazil. Her parents are not Christians and could not understand her desire for a Christ-centered education. She reflected, “I have grown so much … being forced to be on my own and deal with things without my parents’ support … the Lord has been teaching me so much about trusting in Him and helping me come to the realization that when I sing Christ is All I Need in chapels, that is the absolute truth.” David Emerson , a freshman communications major, was born in India, but raised in Papua New Guinea. His father worked with the government as a cash crop developer until his death in 1997. The youngest of four children, David was encouraged to attend Cedarville by his sister, Dorothy Emerson Piovesan ’98. As an international student, David does not qualify for most forms of financial aid— grants, scholarships, or loans—so he must rely on the support he receives from his mother and siblings and his earnings from an on- campus job (as with many international students, his visa does not allow him to work off-campus). Roy Mwangi is a native of Nairobi, Kenya. His country offered limited educational opportunities. Although Roy desired to study electrical engineering, the Kenya government arbitrarily placed him in a home economics program. Discouraged, Roy searched for other options. Upon the recommendation of friends, he enrolled at Cedarville University. Roy will graduate in June 2001 and enter graduate school. Once his education is complete, Roy plans to return to Kenya to start a business in the computer industry, using the revenues to support youth outreach programs. Andrea Franka is from the war-torn country of Yugoslavia. Before Andrea was born, American missionaries helped her parents come to the U.S. to train for missions. Andrea was born in America during this time. When her family returned to their country, they established the only Christian Center in Yugoslavia. The Center provides much needed literature, fellowship, and training for Christians and missionaries. Andrea stated, “All because of one man [her father] that was helped by Americans, we have a whole ministry field in Yugoslavia. Thousands of refugees have gone through the Center and been helped. Missionaries are trained and sent all over my country. It is incredible how God can use one individual to help so many others.” Ivana Batinic is Andrea’s best friend. Ivana accepted Christ as her Savior six years ago and frequently visited the Center (six hours from her home) to interact with other Christians. Although she had already completed a two-year degree from a university in Yugoslavia and taught kindergarten for two years, she was not satisfied. She yearned for training from a Christian perspective. She visited Andrea, who was enjoying her first year at Cedarville, and decided to apply for enrollment. Andrea and Ivana have joined together in meeting their educational and vocational goals. Both women are pursuing degrees in psychology and are planning to return to Yugoslavia as counselors and educators of youth. Andrea explained, “People in Yugoslavia have gone through such trauma. I was there when the bombing was going on, and I know how much pain it caused.” Ivana agreed, “The war has done a lot of damage in people’s lives. They need help. They can’t go anywhere for advice.” Andrea stated, “That is our obligation … it is our country … we must fill those needs.” They save money by sharing an apartment off-campus, furnished for them by faculty and staff of Cedarville. Both work 10-20 hours a week in addition to taking a full academic course load. However, Andrea does not work for herself. She works to help pay for Ivana’s tuition. Even with this help, Ivana is still uncertain whether she will have the financial resources to continue at Cedarville in the Spring Quarter. Each of these students is unique. Yet, they all have common struggles and concerns for their countries. For each, Cedarville provides a Bible-based education that is not available in their home countries. Each has enhanced the culture at Cedarville through his or her enthusiasm and broad worldview. Each has a desire to return to service in his or her native land. Finally, each has struggled with significant financial burdens in obtaining his or her higher education. To help meet the needs of these students, the International Student Organization (ISO) has taken the initiative to establish the International Student Organization Scholarship. ISO designed the scholarship as an endowment—a perpetual fund that uses only investment earnings to award scholarships to international students who have exceptional financial need. ISO is asking individuals with a heart for international students and a desire to contribute to this scholarship project to contact Kim Longo or Dave Bartlett in the office of gift planning at 1-800-766-1115. Inspire 21 ~ (Left to right) Ivana Batinic ’04, Roy Mwangi ’01, Andrea Franka ’03