CENTRAL AMERICAN STUDENTS STUDY AT SEMO

Twelve students from the seven Central American countries are studying at Southeast Missouri State University in a program sponsored by the internationally known Fulbright Program.

CAMPUS '96, or Central American Program of Undergraduate Scholarships (which began on the Southeast campus in January 1996), is a 2 1/2-year, upper division college program for academically talented Central American students from non-elite backgrounds.

Students are from Costa Rica, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

"These students are bright, eager, enthusiastic and outstanding representatives of their cultures," said Adelaide Parsons, director of the Southeast CAMPUS program. "They may only be 12 students but they have the energy of 100. And they will be the future leaders of their countries."

Parsons said she is very impressed by the high quality of the students in terms of their academic achievement, their ability to learn a new language and especially their ability to interact with people.

"I feel my taxpayer's dollars are going to a good cause," Parsons said.

The students themselves are unanimous in saying that the CAMPUS (Fulbright) program is worthwhile.

"Such education programs as Fulbright change the way our people look at the U.S.," said Herbert Castillo, an education-industrial relations major from El Salvador. "Most of our government ministers are Fulbright graduates and they are now running the country. So there is a better understanding of the U.S. as a result of the Fulbright/CAMPUS program."

All the students agree the Fulbright program has great credibility in their countries and that being a Fulbright graduate opens doors for them.

Castillo said that understanding, communication and having respect for other cultures help solve problems in Central America. "This program brings understanding between the United States and the Central American countries," he said.

But the CAMPUS program is worthwhile on a personal level, also, the students said. "The program has helped me understand other cultures and has helped me share my culture," said Veronica Gonzalez, a family life major, also from El Salvador (and the wife of Herbert Castillo). "I think everyone in the U.S. thinks we live in the jungle and don't dress. I have been in grade schools where children asked if I have a car. Many people think we are without education.

"I enjoy sharing my culture and dispelling such ideas."

Parsons said the students have been very active on campus. The Central American Students Association received the 1997 Regents Award for outstanding student organization on the Southeast campus, and Dino Kirten, a secondary education major from Panama, won the Regents' Award for outstanding student leader.

Anna Oliva, coordinator for the 23 CAMPUS host universities in the United States, visited Cape Girardeau July 2 and 3 to observe the Southeast program. Oliva, who is based at Harvard University, said that part of the criteria for choosing students for the program is that they have leadership skills.

"So when they come to the U.S., they don't just study, they get involved in the community -- in the public schools, in Habitat For Humanity, in tutoring children in Spanish, in giving talks to civic groups," Oliva said. "When they go back home, they are bilingual and full of confidence. This allows them to succeed personally and professionally."

Oliva said all the CAMPUS students had good things to say about Cape Girardeau.

"I'm just so pleased because that's one of my concerns," Oliva said. "It seems this community has been good to them."

Hector Alfonso, a special education major from Panama, said his studies in the CAMPUS program have improved his professional life a lot.

"Also," Alfonso said, "the experience of knowing a new country is wonderful. I find that the U.S. is a great country.

"I have made dance presentations to schools and to senior citizens. Meeting these people and showing them what my country is like is one of the most enjoyable aspects of my stay."

Alfonso said he has made many friends and would miss Cape Girardeau. "I hope this kind of program can be maintained," he said. "I know many Central American students would enjoy the opportunity to study here."

Parsons said she appreciates the support the CAMPUS program has received from the community and from colleagues at the university, including President Dale Nitzschke, the College of Education, and Dean Martin Jones of the College of Liberal Arts.

"I'm really proud of this university and of what it has to offer to international students," Parsons said.