Students from the University of Basrah in Iraq gathered Friday night to celebrate the end of their stay in Eugene, which began in September.
More than 200 people showed up to the Giustina Ballroom in the Ford Alumni Center for the students’ presentation of “A Window into Iraq.” The slideshow detailed the current state of the country, as well as provided information regarding the culture and people of Iraq.
The American English Institute at the University organized the students’ trip. The institute helps students learn English, educates teachers who wish to improve the ways they teach English, and provides opportunities for people to understand other cultures.
The Director of Special Programs for the American English Institute, Jill Cargile, with the help of Hassan AL-Mudhaffer, planned and facilitated the Iraqi students’ trip.
“My motivation in particular for bringing these students to the University was because of how much need there is for rebuilding in Iraq and this rebuilding can be done through education,” Cargile said. “I really do believe that you can change the world one person at a time.”
The students lived with each other for the duration of their stay in America. Most of them attributed a crucial part of their experience to the sense of community they found amongst each other.
Student Sarah Al-Salih described her Iraqi peers as brothers and sisters.
“For me, I like having so many brothers and sisters. We worked together for nine months and they were all so helpful,” she said. If I was here alone, I would never be able to live, but because of these people, I was able to do it.”
At the end of the presentation, the students were given the chance to talk individually about their experience in Eugene. Most spoke about their new understanding of American culture and personality.
“I came here not knowing that Americans were going to be like this,” Al-Salih said. “There were strangers who passed by and asked, ‘Where are you from?’ and when I said I was from Iraq, they said, ‘I’m sorry for the war.’ Just that one sentence made me feel happy that there are people who care about others.”
The students also contrasted the style of education at the University of Basrah with the style of education at the University.
“The teachers here in Eugene are always smiling and you can interact in class. It makes me feel more free in my education,” said student Mujtaba Fakhir.
Like other Iraqi students, Fahkir attributes one of the greatest lessons from the trip to open-mindedness and the importance of finding connections with people.
The American English Institute will bring a second wave of Iraqi students to Eugene in the fall for the next school year.
“These kind of programs are the things which make a huge impact on people’s lives — on theirs and on ours,” Cargile said.