|
Student from India adjusts to
snow, countryside, and a curious three-letter combination
JIMMY PARIJA
By Cameron Salony
March 3, 2008 | GRE, TOEFL, Visa, I-20, OPT, and USCIS
are part of Jimmy Parija's common language. He became
quite familiar with these international student terms
before taking his 8,124-mile trip from his native India
to Utah State University. However, there is another
acronym with which Parija was not too familiar before
coming to Utah: LDS.
"In India, hardly any people know about the LDS people,"
Parija said, "They just consider them as Christians."
After experiencing Utah culture for a time Parija said,
"Wait a minute! These people are not Catholic."
"Utah is a safe place because the people are nice,"
he said.
According to Parija there are nearly 220 Indian students
studying at USU, but he says he tends to hang out with
American students more. Parija describes his new Utah
neighbors as "soft-spoken, nice and decent people."
Upon his arrival to Cache Valley, Parija asked, "Where
are all the skyscrapers?"
Parija, 25, did his undergraduate work in his hometown
of Bhubaneswar which is the largest city in the Indian
state of Orissa. The city is commonly referred to as
the "Temple Metropolis of India." Today there are over
500 temples in Bhubaneswar, but at one time the city
was home to more than 2,000 temples. Over 528,000 people
live in Bhubaneswar. He left for Logan after going through
an 18-month-application process.
During study breaks, Parija and his friends flee to
more populated places such as Salt Lake City and Ogden.
Perhaps the biggest adjustment Parija made was adapting
to the weather.
"It is tough for an Indian to imagine such extreme
conditions!" he said, "It's a completely different environment."
Back home Parija's family enjoys 90-degree weather.
Currently, Parija is working toward a Computer Science
Master's degree. Parija came to Logan after turning
down offers to study at the University of Oregon and
the University of New Mexico. He chose USU because of
the institution's research opportunities, financial
aid, and on-campus job opportunities. He works as a
software programmer at the Center for Persons with Disabilities.
Parija is also the Indian Student Association President.
He represents all Indian students at the university
and oversees all of the association's activities.
Every October ISA hosts Diwali which is commonly referred
to as the Festival of Lights. The celebration is the
Indian representation of the victory of light over darkness
and good over evil. The event is known for its food,
dance and entertainment. The annual event is opened
to everyone.
After graduation, Parija --according to U.S. regulation--
will have one year to decide whether he will work in
American or return to India. He wants to work as a software
programmer, but has not decided where. If a company
chooses to hire Parija they will be required to obtain
a work visa him.
Perhaps Parija will return to his family. He is the
youngest of three children. He said his parents were
a little scared when he left for America. "How are you
going to survive?" they asked him.
Until Parija makes his decision you might find him
studying at the library or answering calls in his office,
but if you are lucky you might witness his hidden talent:
singing. He loves George Benson's Nothing's Gonna
Change My Love for You.
The second verse reads: "Our dreams are young and
we both know, they'll take us where we want to go."
Dream big, Jimmy Parija. Enjoy your stay in America.
Indian students at USU celebrate Diwali and their homelands.
MS
MS
|
