Student Spotlight: Yaman Khtoom
Yaman Khtoom, Jordan, Kent State University
All of my goals are set in accordance to this quote: “Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” – Brian Tracy
My goals are to constantly keep talking to people here in the U.S. because those talks, no matter how small they seem, help me to gain better understanding about the people and myself. I have been to churches and mosques. I talked to conservatives and liberals. I helped the Kent State Robotics club in building their robot for NASA’s competition. I have attended Greek life fraternity events. I have talked to rich and homeless people. Every time I went out I ended up learning new things that I didn’t know before. I even push myself to the limit to finish the classes’ assignments early to have extra time to spend with the local community. It is the cultural and the social aspects of Global UGRAD that make this experience so rewarding.
In general, my way of setting goals is to do what I feel is right. I want to do anything I think will help to maximize my limited time here and to learn new things that I won’t be able to learn when I get back to Jordan. I want to learn about the people’s life here in the U.S. in order to bring mutual understanding between my people and Americans and to tell stories that the media won’t tell. I’m enjoying my experience to the maximum!