Inside October 19, 2004's Issue

Fall Frenzy 'Un-homecoming' enjoyed by all

More Fall Frenzy Photos

Iteme disputes Africa's media image

By Amy Waters
[email protected]
Assistant Editor

Roselind Iteme, a pre-nursing major from Marietta, currently in her second year at Georgia Highlands College, has lived most of her life in Nigeria on the continent of Africa. She moved to the United States five years ago when her husband needed to relocate for his job.

She did not experience much culture shock. �There was not much difference in living there and living here,� she said. The cultural transition went smoothly for Roselind, mainly, she said, because the population where she lived in Nigeria was about 50 percent black and 50 percent white.

One thing she finds funny about living in the United States is that when people hear she is from Nigeria, the media images of Africa start running through their minds. �Everyone in Africa is not starving or living in the jungle,� Iteme said. She recalled one instance when a small child came up to her, after hearing that she was from Nigeria, and asked her how she got over here and out of the jungle.

The idea that Nigeria is an undeveloped nation with thick jungles and no way of acquiring food is a huge misconception. With a population of 108 million, Nigeria is very industrialized and is rated 10th in the world for oil production. The major cities are very culturally diverse, similar to major cities here.

Roselind has not been back to Nigeria since moving here in 1999, but she will finally get the opportunity to visit this December during Georgia Highlands College's winter break. She stated that she is very excited and looks forward to seeing her mother. Her family, she said, is one of the things she misses most.

Front Page | News | Features | Editorials | Opinions | Entertainment | Sports | Poll | Travel | Archives | Our Staff | Application | History | F.A.Q.'s

"Notwithstanding any language to the contrary, nothing contained herein constitutes nor is inteded to constitute an offer, inducement, promise, or contract of any kind. The data contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not represented to be wholly accurate.