The following are letters to the editor submitted this week by students from Troy University:

 

Why do international students come to the U.S.?

U.S. has a strong business environment.

 

There are 860 international students at Troy University and one million foreign students in the U.S. including exchange students. The number of foreign students is increasing every year. Why do international students come to the U.S.?

Yoo­-Jung Hwang who studies marketing at Troy University said, “America has a lot of ethnicity and culture, so I can experience various things, and this beneficial to me. Moreover, there are many great universities in the U.S., and the U.S. has talented people from different countries. Studying in U.S. can be especially beneficial when searching for a job.

As Hwang stated above, America has the best universities and very talented people. Also, after graduating from college, the talented people from different countries want to have achievements in American companies. How can the U.S. attract foreign students in a business environment?

According to the Forbes magazine’s World’s Most Valuable Brands List in 2015, the top six most valuable brands are all from the U.S. The brands were Apple, Microsoft, Google, Coca­cola, IBM, and McDonalds. Furthermore, the Forbes’s World’s Largest Companies’ list shows the dominance of the U.S. and China in the current global business landscape. U.S. leads 579 companies; China has half, 232 companies. Over the last decade, people have said that China will lead global market, but America still leads the whole world.

In addition, there are lots of IT companies around the world, but the vast majority of companies which dominate the market in development lead the whole world’s IT markets. It is an undeniable fact that Apple, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Twitter, and E­bay represent IT markets’ center not only in the U.S. but also in the world. Therefore, this is the reason why international students come to U.S.

On the other hand, another reason for international students is that the U.S. has good business culture. The East Asian representative firms, especially China, Japan, and South Korea showed constant development in production techniques and the field of electronic products, but they still have not achieved results in the field of IT.

For example, Samsung Electronics is a South Korean company; The company always has a legal war with Apple. According to the global brand consultancy, the interbrand’s Best 100 Global Brands report in 2015, Samsung ranked seventh among the most valuable companies. Samsung Electronics’ brand value was at $45.5 billion in 2015, Apple was valued at $118.9 billion.

The company should make maximum profits from minimum capital, but Samsung could not. Technology and quality are not reasons that defined the value of Samsung. In my opinion, the reason is that Samsung Electronics’ business culture is centralized organization. Creative ideas and teamwork are the most important things to make the outcome of today. However, East Asian companies still work in a centralized organization, especially, bureaucracy, because they are influenced by the Confucian culture. Thus, Asian IT companies have difficulty in making new ideas and quick decisions for a fast changing world, American IT companies’ business culture is a decentralized organization, and they take a little time to adjust to a new environment.

The young generation of today wants a flexible workplace and organization, so Asian students decide to come to the U.S to show their ability, because their home country’s companies still have a weak point in business culture. According to Fortune magazine’s World’s Best Multinational Workplaces 2016 representing a wide variety of industries and 47 countries, Google ranked no.1, and also the companies ranking 1 through 4 were all from U.S.

Casual office environments and owning major companies are the advantages for American and foreign students. However, economic issues, good educational environments, and multicultural country are also benefits for foreign students. It is absolutely certain that the U.S. is still one of the strongest countries in various fields. Therefore, international students decide to study in America.

Jinlee Jeoung

National Autism Awareness Month

By: Kimber Griffin

There are many organizations that are trying to bring awareness to certain diseases, disorders, and preventions this month. Some of the awareness’s this month include: Alcohol Awareness, National Child Abuse Prevention, Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention, etc. However, I would like to talk about National Autism Awareness. I am personally drawn to this disorder, because I have an Uncle that suffers from Autism and many other handicaps.

Autism spectrum disorder, which is also known simply as Autism, is a disorder which is characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction. This disorder is said to start showing symptoms in early childhood and affect daily functioning. However, some children diagnosed can function daily activities to the fullest while some require substantial support to perform their daily activities. Also, this disorder can develop within any ethnicity and is more significant in boys than girls.

Common signs and symptoms of ASD in infants include: becoming overly focused on certain objects, rarely making eye contact, and failure to engage in babbling with their parents. Some children with ASD develop normally until the age of two or three, then start to become indifferent to social engagement. The social impairment and communication difficulties of ASD vary from the child not understanding how to play or interact with other children, failure to respond to their name, the child only responding to others to achieve specific goals, the difficulty to understand how other people’s feelings, and they usually want to be alone. The verbal abilities of people with Autism vary from no speech at all to speech that is fluent, but awkward or inappropriate. They also don’t understand how to use non-verbal cues such as body language, gestures, or tone of voice. Finally, characteristic behaviors include getting angry or having emotional outbursts, especially when placed in a new or overly stimulated environment.

Scientists don’t really know what causes ASD, but have come to some theories. They believe that genetics and environment play a role in this disorder and feel that there is a great concern on the rise of cases in recent decades without explanation as to why. Studies have shown differences in the growth of different areas of the brain. The studies suggest that this disorder could be caused from disruptions in the normal brain growth early in development and that the disruptions could be caused by defects in the genes that control brain development and regulate how brain cells communicate with each other. Environmental factors may also play a role in gene function and development, but no specific environment causes have been identified. Finally, a few years ago scientists theorized that ASD could be caused by childhood vaccinations, but several studies have proven that childhood vaccinations does not increase the risk of ASD.

There is no cure for ASD, but therapies, interventions, and even some medications can help treat the main symptoms of this disorder. Early behavioral/educational interventions have been proven to be very successful in many children with ASD. These interventions help children develop social and language skills which encourages positive behaviors and discourages negative ones. The medications used to help with some symptoms include Antipsychotic medications, which are used to treat severe behavioral problems, some medications help with symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and OCD, and other medications that treat people with attention deficit disorder can be used to help impulsivity and hyperactivity in people with ASD.

In conclusion, I would like to encourage Pike County citizens to help raise awareness for Autism and to show your support to those with this disorder by donating to autismspeaks.org. I also hope that I have helped bring awareness to this disorder. I got my information from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ and if you would like further information on Autism please feel free to visit the above site.

 

Dear Editor,

In May 2015, the Special Olympics Alabama state games will be held at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. The Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities from worldwide countries, and they hold Olympic games in various countries and regions worldwide. This May, at Troy University, approximately 1,400 athletes, coaches and chaperones will come to Troy and compete in about ten professional sports games.

In my opinion, Special Olympics means a lot in terms of development for regional society and impact to people as well as to intellectual disabilities. Therefore, about one month before the games, I want to focus on why and how Special Olympics important to Troy and Troy University.

 

Like I mentioned before, Special Olympics in Troy is a huge states units sports game in which over 1,400 of interested people participate basically. In other words, many people will come from various states as well as Alabama. Therefore, we can expect that the Special Olympics will contribute to the development of regional society. On a normal day, it’s hard to see big crowds in restaurants, Wal-Mart, and other various facilities. There are tons of cars that pass by Troy highway. However, during the game, I expect that demand for accommodations, food, and beverage by the participants and visitors will be increased. This direct spending from many people would be great help for local businesses in Troy.

 

As one of the international students in Troy University, I figured out that sport games are one of the things that attract students’ attention. Therefore, I expect that this Special Olympics in Troy will raise public’s awareness about intellectual disabilities. Some of students still tend to think that intellectual disabilities hinder people from doing something well due to their disabilities. However, they have great abilities and they are able to achieve something greater than people without disability. Also, there are volunteering opportunities for Troy University Students during the game, so I believe that volunteering would positively affect students greater than to just watch it.

 

Once big events or sports games are held in a specific place, it is certain that the place will be focused by media and public. In this respect, Troy University will get a huge spotlight by regional television, radio, and newspaper, and I think it will have a positive influence to Troy University. In detail, taking meaningful big events, like Special Olympics in this article, can promote a better image of it, so it will contribute to a high reputation of Troy University. Therefore, it could be a chance to increase future students as well as raising public image of Troy.

 

Undoubtedly, approaching Special Olympics must affect positively to Troy and Troy University in the short and long term. It will increase demand in Troy, raise awareness of people, and make higher reputation of Troy University. Lastly, I hope more and more people can feel the heat and passion throughout the game and use it as an opportunity to change remained stereotypes.

 

Sincerely,

Sung eun Shin

 

                      Final Exams!
Exams are coming up! At this time most students experience exam stress. Let’s learn together, how to beat exam stress. Firstly, to overcome exam stress we need to identify; what is the reason behind high anxiety? Some reasons can be: lack of motivation, unreasonable expectation from others, low planning and preparation, and competing with peers. Mental stress starts to build as the exam dates approach.

I’d like to share with you all some ways to get over exam stress – listening to classical music for a short while can form a creative and more positive atmosphere by uplifting your mood; it encourages you to study more effectively and for longer period of time. Taking a quick walk can enhance your memory and brain capability; an effective exercise has a positive impact on brain and can help improve exam performance. Another way to reduce stress is by playing with puppies; who does not like puppies they are cute and bring happiness. Sometimes talking to a friend can empower your ability and boost confidence. Last but not the least, get your beauty sleep; sleep helps your brain acquire new knowledge for a long-term. Adequate sleep refreshes your brain and help recall memory while writing test.

Many people underestimate the power of motivation. However, motivation can help regain the desire to accomplish your goals, hence look for something that triggers motivation. You can also ease stress by bringing your talent out – think about areas like sports, arts, dance etc. All this incorporates and helps pursue dreams and ambitions.

Once mind is set on a goal, keep trying until you achieve it. To sum up, this is all possible only when you put hard work and give up your time. Remember, never let fear of failure stop you from hard work. Wishing you all the best of luck!
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas A. Edison

 

Ms. Mishal Shahid

 

Demarcus Ware Day

April 19, 2016 is now officially considered to be a part of not only Troy University’s, but Alabama’s history as a whole. This particular day was dedicated to NFL icon Demarcus Ware for his outstanding career as a professional athlete and overall positive mentor to society. From playing football and graduating from Troy University, Demarcus Ware went on to be drafted in the first round eleventh overall pick into the NFL by the Dallas Cowboys in 2005. He then played nine consecutive seasons with the Cowboys and was then released. Shortly after, he was promptly picked up by the Denver Broncos where he went on to continue building his legacy. Prior to being drafted, Ware started his football career at Troy University where he became and is currently the all-time leader in tackle’s for a loss. He was also named to the Sun Belt Conference All Decade Team and was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. Ware’s most recent accomplishment of winning the 2016 Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos is what has grabbed the state of Alabama’s attention most recently. After such a successful but still young career, Chancellor Jack Hawkins of Troy University and Governor Robert Bentley held a proclamation service in Montgomery, Alabama dedicated the day to the successes of Demarcus Ware. Along with receiving a key to the city of Troy, he was also named an honorary Lt. Governor of the State of Alabama. After addressing the crowd, Ware went on to travel back to place to the place where it all began. Troy University welcomed him with open arms by hosting a city wide ceremony in the Trojan Arena congratulating him on all of his accomplishments. The ceremony consisted of Demarcus himself addressing the current Troy football organization, and there were also live streams from numerous teammates including Bronco’s Quarterback, Peyton Manning. After leaving Troy and going on to achieve numerous accomplishments, Chancellor Hawkins and the city of Troy proudly recognized Demarcus Ware as being an excellent example of what Troy University strives to mold students to be every day. April 19^th will now and forever be a day dedicated to the remembrance and acknowledgment of what it truly means to strive for excellence and show your inner warrior! Go Trojans!

Andrew Mckelvie

Troy University