Student Speak

Fall 2005

Names: Jorge Botala Boloso and Jose Manuel Bacale
Class: Sophomores
Majors: Geological Sciences
Hometowns: Jorge is from Rebola in the District of Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; Jose is from Kogo in Bata, the EG mainland. Both were raised in Malabo where they pursued their education.

Jorge, you and Jose are both enrolled in the Geological Sciences Department’s Guinea Equatorial Geology (GEGEO) exchange program that brings EG students to USC on full scholarship for geological sciences degrees so they can work in their country’s oil industry. How has your USC experience been so far? Actually, it wasn’t easy when I started because I didn’t know how the system worked and it was like beginning school all over again. But I’m getting used to the system now, I’ve made some friends and everything is getting better with time. Jose: I’m still learning, but I know more about USC and Columbia and how they work and that’s helped.

How long have you been in the United States? Jorge: A year and three months.

Has it been difficult being away from your family and friends for that long? Jorge: Yes, but I know I have to make the sacrifice to do this program, which is my destiny. People are helping me and I’m enjoying my time here.

How do you communicate with your family at home? Jose: Usually I call on the weekends and we also keep in touch by e-mail.

After you finished your first year of study at the National University of Equatorial Guinea in Malabo in June 2004, you came to USC in August 2004 and enrolled in the English Programs for Internationals before starting your USC course work. Was the EPI helpful in preparing for your academic career here? Jorge: Yes, it was extremely helpful, especially in the writing section. It helped me with my English grammar and in speaking English.

Jose: It was helpful. Besides helping me to write, being able to listen to American speakers made the transition from Equatorial Guinea to the United States easier.

What courses are you taking this semester? Jorge: We’re both taking English 102, Geology 305, Geology 202, and History 112.

Are you enjoying the courses? Jose: Yes, they’re interesting and everything we’re learning, in history for example, will be useful. We’ll use many of the concepts we’ve learned in improvement of speaking skills and we’re learning about how modern society works.

What are your long-range career goals after you finish your college work? Jorge: The future is uncertain. It depends on several factors, but my main goal is to teach. There is a lot of opportunity and I’m going to take advantage of it to grow.

Jose: I’d like to teach, but the field of geology is very big in my country and I’m also exploring other things. But what I’d like to do the most is teach.

How do you feel about being able to get into this exchange program? Jorge: It’s a great opportunity for us being here and studying and we’re enjoying our time preparing for the future. So far our experience has been positive. This is the right school for geology.

Jose: I’d like to thank everybody for the opportunity to be involved in the program.

What do you like to do in your time off from school? Jorge: I’m taking piano courses and I spend a lot of time in the music school playing the piano. I also like meeting new people and enjoy talking with people to see who is friendly. I also enjoy doing whatever I can to help improve my speaking skills and get experience as a student.

Jose: I like sports, many of which I never watched before. I like American football and basketball.

What do you think you’ll remember the most about your experience at USC? Jorge: I’ve had good professors and I want to thank them for their support. Another thing I’ll remember is the City of Columbia, which is clean and calm, and the people here, who have been nice. It’s easy here to speak to people and that is the most important part of developing speaking skills.

Jose: I guess from the beginning, I’ve enjoyed the contact with other international students in EPI, and my University 101 professor, who introduced me to the campus. That course was very helpful.

11/05