Nursing major Allow Tuissindjong said the main reason he decided to come to study in Oklahoma was because one of his uncles is living here, so that made it is much easier for him to adapt to a brand new life in another country.

The life in America is completely different from his country, Burkina Faso, he said.

Tuissindjong said in his country, there is a shortage of high schools as well as facilities and spaces for students, so that usually over 100 students have to study together in a same and small classroom with only one teacher.

He started learning English when he was in a senior in high school, but just for grades in class, and he also did not have many chances to practice lessons in his country, he said.

“At that time I don’t believe, I don’t think that I could come and live in an English speaking country,” Tuissindjong said.

Therefore he faced problems communicating with people in the first few months in America, he said.

Tuissindjong said there are many other international students in Oklahoma who are from Africa who helped him solve problems when he first came to America.

Oklahoman’s are really nice and kind, he said, and he likes the way most of people in this state believe in God.

“I like this because when you believe in God, it is easier for you to accommodate to the life,” Tuissindjong said.

He said he chose OCCC because it is a good start for his education in nursing program.

“The size of each class is good for learning. That is why I like OCCC, and the teachers give their time to listen to students and give correct lectures for students,” Tuissindjong said. “The first thing that impressed me when I came here [OCCC] is the way people help me and talk with me,” he said.

Tuissindjong said this is also the first time in his life he has a personal adviser who gave him advice and help in making studying decisions when he applied for OCCC.

In Burkina Faso, students never have a consultant to assist them in education.

He plans to get a bachelor’s degree in Nursing program at the University of Central Oklahoma after graduation from OCCC so that he can go back his country and use knowledge to help old and poor people, Tuissindjong said.

“In my country, the nursing [system] is not like in here,” he said. “Most of [The nurses] in my country don’t get a degree atcollege, just a degree at senior high schools.”