International students are all about Obama

By: Kate King

Posted: 11/3/08

They may not be able to vote, but that doesn't mean they aren't paying attention.

For international students studying at UConn this fall, the opportunity to witness the presidential election first hand tomorrow is exciting not only because of its historic nature. With both the global economy and foreign relations in fragile states, the whole world is watching to see who will occupy the most powerful office in the world.

"The U.S. election is quite a world event," said Wee Lai Khong, an undergraduate student from Singapore studying economics at UConn this semester. "The world sees the U.S. as a leader, so when they are electing their leader, it is something to take note of."

The winner of the presidential election will directly impact life in Khong's home country, since Singapore's financial markets are closely tied to Wall Street, she said. The American economic crisis has already affected the country, where unemployment is on the rise and the economy has fallen into recession.

"I am very concerned about the U.S. economy because recently there is this credit crunch and volatility of the stock market," Khong said. "On this issue I definitely prefer Obama."

The Democratic candidate is the unanimous favorite among international students. Many feel he offers a fresh perspective on foreign policy completely different from that of the Bush administration.

Obama "being president would make public support in Europe much, much better toward the U.S. than it has been over the past eight years," said Kristina Andren, an exchange student from Sweden. "It would be good for the U.S. and for Europe as well."

Richard Alam, who is studying here from Beirut, Lebanon, said he likes Obama's pledge to negotiate with Middle Eastern countries such as Iran. He also agrees with Obama's support for a Palestinian state, so the displaced Palestinians occupying dangerous and squalid refugee camps in Lebanon can have a country to go home to.

"This election is just different," Alam said. "American influence in my region is big, so we need someone who will offer new perspectives."

Obama is seen as more open to democratic relations with the Middle East, according to Fatimazahra Blila, who is here from Rabat, Morocco.

"McCain really does not accept any communication," Blila said. "It was a policy suggested by Bush and it didn't prove effective."

Blila said she was saddened by the negative connotations that became attached to Islam during this campaign when a false rumor circulated that Obama was Muslim.

"What is it about being a Muslim?" Blila said. "After all, this is a free country. Religious worship is a free matter and it does not interfere with politics. I think it's pretty sad that people make a connection between Obama and Osama (Bin Laden) and that they take Osama to be representative of the Muslim-Arab community."

Many students also said that they would like to see an African American elected as president of the United States.

Safia Redjil, who also traveled to UConn from France, said she believed the U.S. would set a positive example by electing an African American president. She said many people in France equate Obama with Martin Luther King Jr.

"We hear a lot about Americans not being ready to vote for a black man," she said. "But racism is not an American problem, it's a world problem."

Arthur Virapin-Apou, an exchange student from Paris, France, said he sees Obama as a symbol for potential social progress. He said he would like to see a minority elected to the highest office. This is especially after the 2006 presidential election in France, during which Virapin-Apou felt the country did not elect the female candidate, Segolene Royal, in part because of her gender.

"If America is ready to elect Obama, I think it's a very good sign," Virapin-Apou said. "But I can't believe it until I see it."

Redjil and Virapoin-Apou said they also support Obama's position on health care because it more closely mirrors their programs in France, which they see as more effective than the American system. Emma Gilligan, a Russian history and human rights professor who moved to Connecticut from Australia several years ago, feels the same way.

"When you come from a country where health care is provided for all, it's very difficult to conceive of a place where health care is not provided," Gilligan said.

Gilligan supports Obama's idea of taxing the wealthy, which she sees as a potential way to fund health care. She criticized McCain's proposal to give $5,000 to every individual for health care as flawed and short-sighted.

One student, Hind Al-Kindi, from Oman, said she does not like either candidate and would have liked to see New York Senator Hillary Clinton in the race. And while she said people in her country are closely following the election, she is skeptical of one administration's ability to improve America's international relations. She admitted that the next American president will likely impact her region however because the current economic crisis directly impact the price of oil.

Whether through foreign policy or the economy, all international students interviewed said tomorrow's presidential election will have a direct impact on the citizens in their home countries.

Redjil said most Americans she meets don't realize what a powerful impact their country has beyond its borders.

"Americans should vote being aware that they are voting not only for them, but for the whole world," she said.