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“Congratulation for
your scholarship Dion, but be careful… America is the most dangerous place in
this globe for Moslems. Don’t you know that USA is a country who discriminates
Moslems?…”
Almost everyday I
heard that sentences from my colleagues before I departed to America to pursue
my study. I was happy but nervous in getting such precious chance to study in
Michigan State University. Moreover, the issue widespread around my country in Indonesia
was that American Embassy would be very tough to give the visa. Therefore,
before the visa interview I shaved my mustache and beard in order not too be
looked as a terrorist. I unfriended some Muslims organization group in my
facebook, since I heard that the US government has a sophisticated technology
to track every detail information of every single people here in this earth.
I was so worried
of the racism issue, I was so scary about the gang issue, I was so horrified
with the gun shoot at campus, I was so frighten with the hurricane, and I was
so afraid with the extreme whether. One
thing that made me strong and motivated to keep my spirit “on fire” was my
parent. They told me that this is the only chance if I want to make a better
living in the future. My mom said, “We will never ever ever be able to pay your
school fee, go and chase your dream. Now or never”. My mom is the best advisor I have ever
had. I then decided to go to Michigan
State to be a big family of Spartan.
The first day I
arrived Michigan; I was welcomed by the cold wind sweeping my face. Although,
it was summer, for me, however, the wind was still not friendly. I said to
myself: “Okay Dion, this is nothing, you must be strong”. I remember the date I
landed Michigan, August 18, 2012 at 4 in the afternoon. My first impression was
that my bad feeling about Moslem discrimination would come true. I couldn’t
celebrate the Ied Mubarouk prayer (like Christmas in Christianity) due to the
English test. I even have not relieved from my jet leg, but I had to take the
test and; the worst thing is that I couldn’t celebrate the Moslem’s biggest
day. I was so sad, terribly sad.
This is perhaps
what many people called “cultural shocked”. I found my self like an alien
living in another planet in my first week. The food, the whether, the bathroom,
the people, the language; they are so awkward. Nonetheless, after I spent my
eight days I started to feel that East Lansing is Awesome. I then started to
observe whether or not the prejudice about America toward Muslims is right. I
ever searched from the Internet about Islamic center near MSU, and then I
decided to do my prayer there. “Oh my goodness, this Islamic center is very
huge”. How come the country called USA has a big mosque in a small city in East
Lansing? I used to think that the Islamic Center was not that big, but my presupposition
was totally wrong. On Friday, I did my
Friday Prayer; I was so stunned knowing that the prayer is held in two shifts.
The only reason is that the mosque cannot accommodate the number of Moslems who
do the Friday prayer. Again, my hypothesis about discrimination in America was
eroded. It is impossible if American discriminate Islam, whereas they grow this
big.
I never
experienced the racism here in MSU since I arrived Michigan. I was never be
bullied, I was never be mocked and I was never be underestimated by American.
They even smile at me, as if they have known me before. In Indonesia, folks
rarely smile at you if they do not recognize you. “Thank you” is the sentence
that is very expensive in my country. However, here in MSU “thank you” is very
cheap. Everyone appreciate of what you have done even the small one. One more
sentence that barely be heard in my country is “have a nice day”. If you want
to find yourself awkward just practice telling this sentences in Indonesia to
everyone you meet, then they will lough at you.
I find MSU is the
best place to study. It has everything I need. I used to think that Islamic
Center is the only place that I can use for praying. But it is wrong. MSU even
has a large space for Muslims to do their prayer in the campus. I have just
realized about it two weeks ago, when my friend from Indonesia had me join him
to pray. I asked him, are you kidding me, we have just arrived here, do we need
to go back to Islamic Center to pray? Then he said, “Hang on… are you aware
that Spartan has a big room for us to pray named “Meditation Room” in Anthony Hall?
Then I answered: “Really? Oh my God, I never realized it before”. Once again, I
thank to God that I am very blessed to study in Michigan State University.
What I want to do
right now is that I just want to scream to my friends in Indonesia: “hey… Folks in America are very
open-minded”. “Man… they don’t even bully me and other Moslems.” “They respect
us as they respect their parents”. “Please delete your bad prejudice from your
processor in your brain, that America is the worst place to live for Moslems.”
“Let’s create a better living in this planet by sharing love and care.” “MSU is
the best place to study, they don’t discriminate me.” I hope my friends
from Indonesia who have a bad prejudice toward America can hear me.
I am proud to be
Spartan. When I write this article, believe it or not, I yield: “Spartannnnnnnnn…..
What is your profession??? “Au…Au…Au..”
Dion Eprijum Ginanto
Graduate Student (MA)
K-12 Educational Administration
Scholar of USAID (I thank to
American for giving me scholarship)
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