INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Have Home Away From Home
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By SCOTT QUEEN
ne Sunday, Mark ’76 and Rebecca ’77 Harbison saw a young man from Uganda attending their church, Linn Memorial United Methodist. They knew the normal struggles for a college freshman and imagined the difficult transition for someone who traveled more than 8,000 miles to get to Fayette. His name was Arnold Mukisa. The Harbisons befriended Arnold and helped him settle into Fayette and to Central Methodist University. The relationship strengthened over the years, and Arnold’s Fayette family — the Harbisons — were beaming with pride when Arnold received his degree at graduation and earned the Selecman Award – the most prestigious honor for any graduate, given to someone who demonstrates extraordinary citizenship, scholarship, religious leadership, spiritual qualities, and achievement. Little did the Harbisons know that their act of kindness would coincide with the development of an entire program at Central Methodist University – the International Friendship Family program. The year after they met Arnold, Becca Harbison noticed an item in her church bulletin about the program and called Cathy Baxter, ‘09, CMU’s assistant dean for international students and study abroad. “She (Cathy) said she had a couple of girls she would like us to consider,” Becca said. “I told her we had already ‘adopted’ Arnold but would like to ‘adopt’ both of the girls. We added Ivet Rodriguez from Catalonia and Felixhy Dominguez from Mexico. Our family grew when we added the men’s soccer team and several other girls from Spain.” Baxter is quick to explain that the International Friendship Family program isn’t about “adoption” or housing. It’s really about being in contact at least monthly to help expand social support, ease the impact of culture shock, and enhance the sense of community and belonging. Mark said one of the most impactful times over the past four years was in 2018, when Ivet’s parents and other family members came to visit. “We had them all of at the house one evening for supper,” said Mark, who works as chief executive officer of Commercial Trust Bank in
8 The Talon | Fall 2020
Fayette. “We really enjoyed each other’s company. The conversation was challenging, since neither Becca nor I spoke Spanish and they spoke no English. With Ivet and Feli’s help, we managed quite well.” The Harbisons’ volunteer spirit was recognized last year when Mark was the guest speaker at the International Week banquet. He spoke of the growth of the international population at CMU over the years and the welcoming spirit that exists now. “Arnold and Ivet don’t know this, but during that first year through our conversations and getting to know them better, they helped me realize something that all of you international students have in common,” he said. “You made a decision, a leap of faith of sorts, to leave your families
