Issue #11– October 10, 2008
Apartment Area Resident Spotlight
by: Tess Kittelberger
Churchill Elangwe–University Commons
Churchill always “keeps the light shining!
There is never a bad day in the life of this 5th year electrical engineering student. If there happens to be a bad day, it only makes him stronger. Churchill believes there is more to RIT than just academics. Coming from the country of Cameroon, he is determined to work hard and enjoy the journey that enriches his United States experience.
Interviewer: What made you decide to come to the United States?
Churchill: The U.S. is a world power. Though it is not perfect, there are always opportunities to learn. The country is more advanced than most and you can accomplish more.
Interviewer: What was it about RIT that made you want to come here?
Churchill: After my two years at a community college in Maine, I did apply to other schools like the University of Maine. But when I came to the open house, I just knew. I could feel the warmth of RIT. I was in the field house looking for directions to my academic department. This girl happened to stop and ask if I needed help. She was just a random student and was so nice to direct me to the right place. Right there, I knew RIT was for me.
Interviewer: How does your family feel about you being here?
Churchill: They are extremely proud and happy for me. Before my dad died he said to me “I wish I was like you.” He was this extraordinary person who trusted my judgment and believed I could do it. My family is very supportive of my decisions.
Interviewer: If you invited some of your Cameroon friends here to RIT, what would you show/ tell them first?
Churchill: Well I would explain the culture. It is not like back home. For instance, to show friendship back home people hold hands. Here we don’t do that. My host family warned me of the cultural differences.
Interviewer: Have you been anywhere off campus worth visiting again?
Churchill: I have been to Niagara Falls three times. It is a beautiful place. Other than that, I haven’t seen too many places around Rochester. I go to nice restaurants downtown and I have been to Canandaigua. It is mostly small nice places that I frequently visit just to get off campus.
Interviewer: What is it about your major that keeps you motivated?
Churchill: There are constant challenges. New technology is always making things change. If someone asks me a question about a class I have already taken, I often see the changes that happened since I last took the class.
Interviewer: Will you go back to Cameroon to work?
Churchill: Well, my next step is graduate school. I am applying to the University of Pennsylvania for engineering management. It is a two year program. So I hope I can do that.
Interviewer: What is one thing from Cameroon that you cannot live without?
Churchill: I miss everything about home. But at the same time I feel like I have everything from home with me. I terribly miss my family and my girlfriend. However, I am a positive person and there is a purpose why I am here. I miss the food too. We eat a lot of meat and vegetables. So when I can, I go to this Caribbean and African grocery store when I want to make a meal like I would have back home.
Interviewer: Is there a place on campus you frequently visit?
Churchill: I am at the library all the time. It is a place where I can work and really focus. I often visit the chapel to meditate and relieve some stress. Since I am a Christian, I can go there and connect with God.
Interviewer: How do you like living on campus?
Churchill: I enjoy University Commons. You can really enjoy your freedom as an apartment resident. My roommates and I are very cordial to one another. We often cook and make dessert together. It is very nice.
Interviewer: What are some of your favorite places that you have visited around the world?
Churchill: I love the U.S. - people are so nice. Switzerland is a beautiful country as well. I love my home though. I live on the coast, so it is very cool and fresh all the time.
Interviewer: What is your goal once you graduate?
Churchill: You never know what is going to happen. I have plans, but things change. I would love to work for Microsoft or Intel.
Interviewer: How do you stay in such good spirits?
Churchill: Well, at RIT you cannot afford to be depressed. Time goes by so quickly. Plus, life is great. There is so much to do and experience. So I embrace every moment that I have.
Interviewer: What made you decide to come to the United States?
Churchill: The U.S. is a world power. Though it is not perfect, there are always opportunities to learn. The country is more advanced than most and you can accomplish more.
Interviewer: What was it about RIT that made you want to come here?
Churchill: After my two years at a community college in Maine, I did apply to other schools like the University of Maine. But when I came to the open house, I just knew. I could feel the warmth of RIT. I was in the field house looking for directions to my academic department. This girl happened to stop and ask if I needed help. She was just a random student and was so nice to direct me to the right place. Right there, I knew RIT was for me.
Interviewer: How does your family feel about you being here?
Churchill: They are extremely proud and happy for me. Before my dad died he said to me “I wish I was like you.” He was this extraordinary person who trusted my judgment and believed I could do it. My family is very supportive of my decisions.
Interviewer: If you invited some of your Cameroon friends here to RIT, what would you show/ tell them first?
Churchill: Well I would explain the culture. It is not like back home. For instance, to show friendship back home people hold hands. Here we don’t do that. My host family warned me of the cultural differences.
Interviewer: Have you been anywhere off campus worth visiting again?
Churchill: I have been to Niagara Falls three times. It is a beautiful place. Other than that, I haven’t seen too many places around Rochester. I go to nice restaurants downtown and I have been to Canandaigua. It is mostly small nice places that I frequently visit just to get off campus.
Interviewer: What is it about your major that keeps you motivated?
Churchill: There are constant challenges. New technology is always making things change. If someone asks me a question about a class I have already taken, I often see the changes that happened since I last took the class.
Interviewer: Will you go back to Cameroon to work?
Churchill: Well, my next step is graduate school. I am applying to the University of Pennsylvania for engineering management. It is a two year program. So I hope I can do that.
Interviewer: What is one thing from Cameroon that you cannot live without?
Churchill: I miss everything about home. But at the same time I feel like I have everything from home with me. I terribly miss my family and my girlfriend. However, I am a positive person and there is a purpose why I am here. I miss the food too. We eat a lot of meat and vegetables. So when I can, I go to this Caribbean and African grocery store when I want to make a meal like I would have back home.
Interviewer: Is there a place on campus you frequently visit?
Churchill: I am at the library all the time. It is a place where I can work and really focus. I often visit the chapel to meditate and relieve some stress. Since I am a Christian, I can go there and connect with God.
Interviewer: How do you like living on campus?
Churchill: I enjoy University Commons. You can really enjoy your freedom as an apartment resident. My roommates and I are very cordial to one another. We often cook and make dessert together. It is very nice.
Interviewer: What are some of your favorite places that you have visited around the world?
Churchill: I love the U.S. - people are so nice. Switzerland is a beautiful country as well. I love my home though. I live on the coast, so it is very cool and fresh all the time.
Interviewer: What is your goal once you graduate?
Churchill: You never know what is going to happen. I have plans, but things change. I would love to work for Microsoft or Intel.
Interviewer: How do you stay in such good spirits?
Churchill: Well, at RIT you cannot afford to be depressed. Time goes by so quickly. Plus, life is great. There is so much to do and experience. So I embrace every moment that I have.
For more articles from this issue, click here