 Update on Katrina Relief
Anya Rasulova
Brown University 2008
Coming from Uzbekistan, there are always new things that
surprise me about the United States. Sometimes it ranges from
small things such as shopping and slang to bigger issues such as
political correctness, diversity, and gender issues and much
more. However, a recent (sad) event that surprised me the most
was the hurricane Katrina. Not so much for the natural disaster
but the unity that the entire country and many people have shown
to alleviate the problems that Katrina caused. Not only did I
have to watch the news to learn about different organizations
and their response to the disaster, but I observed much in my
own school - Brown University.
The student body has been incredibly active in fundraising through concerts, sales, and performances, and actual volunteering in the area. Brown hosted many students from the area as well. As of Wednesday, Sept. 14, Brown University had enrolled more than 80 students from colleges and universities that were closed by Hurricane Katrina:
- 62 undergraduates have enrolled for one semester on a tuition-free basis;
- 27 graduate students have enrolled in the Brown Graduate School
I've become good friends with one of them, Antonio Funches ( pictured at
right). He is originally from Sumrall, a small town in south Mississippi, but for the past three years he has been living in New Orleans attending Xavier University. Brown provided Antonio with a host family of a professor along with some other benefits: for example, he received a grant from our school that took care of his books, the meal plan, and personal expenses. It was crucial for him because Antonio has already paid for his tuition and expenses at Xavier.
When I asked Antonio about the differences, he told me that "Brown differs from my school in a variety of ways. First off, it is much more diverse than I originally thought. I come from a HBCU, which stands for historically Black Colleges and Universities, so I had a preconceived notion of all white students but it turns out that there is a mix of races among the student body. I like it. As far as curriculum goes the sciences are pretty much the same meaning they're hard everywhere you go, but I have to say that the language department here is so much more intense than at my previous school although in no way am I downplaying my soon to be Alma Mater. The Green (our outside field on main campus) also is something my school isn't able to have because it is in New Orleans where space is limited. I've enjoyed sunny days studying on the green with friends--it's relaxing. Brown also has a football team! My school doesn't have one and I've missed going to football games, so it was great when I got a chance to go to Brown
vs. URI". Antonio says that the friendliness that both students and professors have shown made his unexpected and fast transition a lot easier.
When looking back, he says that "One minute I'm at my school where I'm settled and comfortable with friends, a job, and familiar faculty; the next I'm displaced and confused. All of my decisions had to be made quickly because Brown had already begun school so before I had anytime to recover from the shock of the storm I was on a plane to Rhode Island. It's been a rocky road to say the least. However I have my faith in God and the help of very understanding people, so every day I become more and more grateful for the opportunity to attend such a prestigious educational institution".
And through examples like this, I realize more and more how interdependent we all are in this world. And probably, through reaching out and giving a helping hand to someone else, we can make this world a better place.
Editor's note: If you have been affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita, or have stories to share about relief efforts, please email your comments to editor@nshss.org.
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