Alcala Yearbook 1993-1994

Tales of a 6'6" Norwegian America. The land of the free and the home of the brave. The country where people pledge their alle– giance to the flag; the country where people drink Coke and eat burgers; the country where people of all nationalities and religions co-exist; the countrywhere people shoot each other in streets infested with drug dealers and gangsters; the country filled withwomen like CindyCrawford and surfer dudes with long hair and big muscles. These are only a few of the impres– sions we Europeans have of America through the movies. When I was about to leave for this enormous country, I must admit, I felt a bit weird leaving for the other side of the world- to the place of fires, earthquakes, riots, and killings. Most of my friends envied me for going to San Diego, thinking that I was going to a land of palm trees, blue skies, and photo models in bikinis. They also ad– mired me for leaving my family and friends behind to go to college so far away and for so long. As I came to San Diego, I was pleased to see it was as warm, and contained the beaches I had hoped for. The campus was beautiful, with tennis courts, swim– ming pools, a game room, sports fields, and other facilities not found in Norwegian Universities. I arrived on campus still having all my movie impres– sions in my head. I felt like I was the only one in the world. However, I quickly experienced American friendliness, where people I had never seen before came up to me to ask how I was doing. When I stopped to respond, I noticed they had continued walking, sort of like, "Nice to see you, but keep your problems to yourself. " Sometimes they would ask, "What's up?" How on earth would I know how to respond to that? Actually, one of the Resident Assis– tants helped to define this American idiom for me. This act of kindness was so different from what I was used to--people looking at me as if I were crazy asking a stranger for assistance. On the matter of sports, Americans are much more into Athletics than the average Norwegian. I was amazed how everybody watches all the major games in football, basketball, and baseball. I, of course, tried to brag about Norway's ranking as number three in soccer, while the USA was in twenty-sixth place. But as you all know, this did not last long--the USA ~ea::~d~::,~ay in the practice games.

In the dorms, we learn a lot about each other, beacause we come from two different parts of the world. We automatically disagree and brag about all kinds of things. A funny incident on this matter: Some o'f my friends started bragging, and I interrupted with the teasing remark, "If it hadn't been for Norway's discov– ery, there would have been no USA." They quickly responded, "We have all the weapons and inventions thatsa~edNorwayinWorld War II." I realized that our only great inventions had been the cheese cutter and the paper clip, so I gave up on this matter. So far; I've had a great time and have acquired so much knowledge of different cultures, habits, and how to relate to people from countries other than my own. Since our world is becoming more and more interna– tionalized1 I strongly recommend people to travel and experience a variety of lands and customs. This new– found knowledge of the world we live in can only help to eliminate prejudice and broaden acceptance of all peoples. I know that is what a trip abroad has done for me.

Christopher Syrian I.S.O. President 1994-1995