Now much does it cost a UCO student to ride the local route in Edmond?

First UCO student from Burkina Faso reflects on cultural differences

BY LAURA BELLO

Senior Writer I eaching physical education in a high school in West Africa, Yakouba Hema never thought he'd be living and attending school in Edmond, Okla. His experiences have taught him about life, culture and most importantly, people.

Hema leaned in as he began in a soft voice to recant his journey from the country Burkina Faso population of 12 million, to Oklahoma.

His journey began five years ago when he moved to Phillip's University in Enid to be an assistant soccer coach, a connection he made through a missionary in Africa. In addition to coaching soccer, he was able to take a few courses at the university. "Mainly, it was an opportunity to get more education," he said as he shifted in his chair.

When he arrived in the United States he anticipated the cultural differences.

"I knew it wouldn't be like back home. I was ready for anything," he said.

A year after he arrived, the university closed and Hema moved to Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, then in 2000 he moved to UCO.

"I have to adapt to a place — wherever I live. I knew I was

PHOTO PROVIDED

Senior French major Yakouba Hema is the first international student from Burkina Faso to ever attend UCO.

coming to a different society," he certainly different. said. "I can take what is good and He doesn't think the way things Team a lot from that." are done here as bad, but they are One difference, he noticed, is the way women view themselves.

"Here, to gain weight is a disaster. Back home if a woman gains a little weight, it isn't a big deal. It means she doesn't have to worry about food and she is well taken care of."

He said he has not made the tragic mistake of telling an American woman she has gained a few pounds.

He said in his country people are poor, but they get to eat. But in other parts of Africa, people die from hunger because crops will not grow.

"People need to appreciate the things they have," he said.

Hema said when he first came to Enid, he was shocked when he saw cafeteria employees throwing away food.

"The workers took loads of bread and dumped them in the dumpster — a lot of people would be happy to have this," he said.

He said schools in the United States are very different than the ones in Africa.

"The way teachers get involved is better here, they can take care of the students," he said.

He said the classes in Africa hold 80 – 100 students and the teachers rarely can communicate personally with each student.

The community is a vital part of the social roles in Burkina Faso, he said. The houses are near each other and the communities are small. See HEMA, Page 16 "I have to adapt to a place — wherever I live. I knew I was coming to a different society."

—Yakouba Hema senior French major from Burkina Faso

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