Like many international students who come from developing countries, first-year student John Gichuchi Gitau of Kenya came to Duke with high hopes. His plan is to return one day to his home country and join the burgeoning renewable energy movement. Gitau studied at the African Leadership Academy in South Africa for two years before coming to the United States to continue his education at Duke, where he is an engineering major. Here, Kim Shui, '11, a student worker at Duke's International House, speaks with Gitau about his background, plans and cultural perceptions since joining the Duke community.
Tell me a bit about the African Leadership Academy.
I finished high school in Kenya where I grew up. Then I got a scholarship to go study in South Africa, where I spent two years at the African Leadership Academy. It's a specialized school that selects students from all over Africa and picks them based on their potential for leadership and academic excellence. It's a very holistic application process. It was through this academy that I got an opportunity to study here at Duke.
Why did you initially decide to study in the United States?
Mainly because I'm interested in renewable energy and the U.S. offers better opportunities. The engineering programs at American universities are much stronger compared to African universities, and with the financial aid Duke was willing to provide, I decided to come here.
Culturally speaking, what have been some of the biggest adjustments you have had to make?
Getting used to not being the majority anymore, and the difference in language. I feel that there are small things that you can't discuss with people here. For example, when I first arrived in the U.S., most people were talking about how much snow they had at their home, and I had never seen snow before in my life. Or, in class, they would make allusions to certain TV shows, and I kind of felt left out.
I went a formal dinner recently where everyone was dressed in suits. I thought I would wear something from back home, to represent our culture so I chose a traditional Kenyan formal outfit that I had brought with me. But when I was wearing this, I noticed everyone on the bus silently staring at me. This was a bit difficult for me, but I spoke with a friend and she told me that these people had probably never seen something similar and they were adjusting to this, too. So I thought: what might I do that will make people look at me differently?
Do you feel like there are certain issues in America, like race, which are more salient here than they are back in Kenya?
Yeah. I'm a very open person, but I have always grown up seeing only black people and this has been the first time I have seen so many people I feel different from, so it has been a challenge. Also, I find that while a lot of the Americans I meet might be nice and open to things, sometimes I sense from them a certain alienation because of our different cultures. I feel more in sync with Americans I meet who are willing to learn about my culture.
What do you like most about Duke?
The people that I've met. I was so impressed when I met a non-African student who discussed African politics with me. When I meet people like that -- ones who are willing to learn -- it's pretty cool. In a big way I have not fully adjusted yet, but I believe in optimism. Regardless of how I miss my friends, I tell myself that I'm at a really good school and that I'm going to make great friends here.
What are you hoping to get involved with while at Duke?
I'm hoping to do a lot of research. I love research. I love energy projects. So I'm thinking about joining Engineers Without Borders and Duke Engage.
Do you have any post-college plans yet?
I'm hoping to work in Germany or study in Germany just because they are superior to any country in the world in renewable energy. All this is so that I have the skills to go back home and help with the renewable energy movement.
This article originally appeared on the International House website.