Does the U.K. Hate the U.S.?

In the month of August, I visited London. Getting out of the airport, major differences between the U.S. and the U.K. were apparent. Cars in the U.K. are driven on the opposite side of the road than they are here. It wasn’t a shock though; I knew that already. What I wanted to know is what the diametrical Londoners think about America. Lucky for me, I bumped into Shonem Sediqi, a Londoner, and she said, “America is portrayed as a country that sticks its nose into other people’s business and creates destruction as far as international relations is concerned.” After September 11, 2001, European countries sympathized greatly with America, but now the country has lost the continent’s grace. The Iraq war, Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, the country’s stance on global warming, and more has corrupted the nation’s image. Sediqi said, however, that when the media portrays America, “it’s not the people but the administration.” Perhaps it is the current administration, but most of the people I spoke with in the city thought the Americans are idiots for electing the same administration, and twice. George Bernard Shaw’s quote, “The 100% American is 99% idiot,” seemed to sum up the general attitude towards Americans in the city. With these discrepancies, I wonder how the 2008 presidential election will change the people of U.K.’s view of Americans. Naisham Jamshidi, a resident of the D.C. Metropolitan Area said that the U.K.’s attitude towards Americans will change negatively or positively according to which presidential candidate is elected. “Right now,” she said, “Europeans have a negative view of the U.S., but with the president’s change in message, Europe will change its attitude.” She went on to say, “If McCain is elected, I don’t think the European attitude will change. They’ll see him as another George Bush. If Obama is elected, they’ll see the government will not invade countries under false pretenses.” The U.K. may have a change of heart. We’ll have to wait and see if America’s foreign policies change or stay the same following November 4, 2008.

Sohayl Vafai

Associate Editor

How To Make the Most of MC

Over the years, the phrase "I go to a community college" is met with an "Oh..." But just as four-year institutions provide opportunities for its students, so do the two-year institutions such as Montgomery College (MC). Fact of the matter is, community colleges are receiving the same education for a cheaper price. But with the lower cost does not necessarily mean less opportunities for the students.

1. Need a job? - With the hard economical times, more students are opting to work part-time jobs - sometimes two or three - to pay off their educational costs. MC is aware of this and has many jobs available to the students. Most of the jobs promote conveniency because of their on-campus locations, give your resume a face-list and also provide you with future networks of employment. In addition, many professors and staff are unofficial liaisons to jobs off-campus, as they tend to be in contact with companies, employees and such. If they know that a student is looking and is qualified for a job, they will recommend the individual to the employers. E-jobs, a free service provided to MC students, is an "Internet based job matching system designed exclusively for Montgomery College students/alumni that gives [the students] access to thousands of part-time and full-time jobs, internships, and on-campus employment." Go to http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/ejobs or to Campus Center Building Lower Level 002 for more information.
2. Need an internship? - The Paul Peck Humanities Institute (PPHI) has partnerships with the Smithsonian Institute, the Library of Congress and the recently-added Holocaust Museum to give students the amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of working in the renowned institutions. With MC's varied and diverse populations, select students with either language skills for translation purposes, computer skills to maintain databases, and writing skills to publish for the institution are chosen. The PPHI internships count as a three-credit course elective, so you are also getting three credits closer to graduation - why not spend your electives to working for some of the world's most celebrated academic institutions? Go to http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/humanities/ for more information.
3. Need to get involved? - Universities that you will soon find yourself applying to transfer into adore individuals who are involved in extra-curriculars: this shows them that you are not only involved with bettering yourself, but that you are also one of the better citizens of society. Office of Student Life provides a plethora of clubs, activities and volunteer opportunities for students, all ranging from academic organizations such as Phi Theta Kappa to the game-related clubs such as the Rubik's Cube Club. With more than forty clubs to offer, there is something for everybody. Go to http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/stdactrv/ or to Campus Center BuildingLower Level 005 for more information
4. Need a sport? - With more than ten sports, MC is wide-open for athletes. Winning NJCAA Division III Championships, such as the Women's Tennis Team in 2006, the sports teams are directed by "experienced coaches that assist athletes in achieving their goals," according to the Athletics home page. Transfer universities often offer scholarships to superb athletes, alleviating the cost and the stress of paying for college. Go to http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/athletrv/?page=index for more information.

So make the most of your MC stay and take full advantage of what it has to offer!


Daniela Pila
Technical Director