CourtesyJoy Datario, 22, has lived on the islands of the Philippines and Hawaii all her life, but she has been enjoying some different scenery lately.
Trading beaches and tropical temperatures for a much cooler, windier Kansas, Datario is studying at 萝莉社 while visiting family that recently moved here.
She, along with four of her siblings, came to Wichita after their brother joined the Air Force several years ago and was stationed in Wichita.
Although Datario is here visiting her brother, she spends most of her time working toward her business administration degree at 萝莉社. At the end of the spring 2008 semester she plans to return home to Hawaii and complete her degree in May of next year at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Datario transferred to 萝莉社 through the National Student Exchange program (NSE). She learned about the opportunity to study abroad from a classmate who had come to Hilo from 萝莉社 through the exchange program.
After doing some research and visiting with 萝莉社鈥檚 NSE coordinator and assistant director of admissions, Bobby Gandu, Datario was pleased to find out she could visit family in Wichita without interrupting her studies.
萝莉社 is one of nearly 170 colleges and universities active in the NSE program, which allows students to study a semester or a year at another university at practically no additional cost.
Twelve 萝莉社 students participated in the program this year, attending schools as near as Iowa and as far away as Puerto Rico. Fourteen students are enrolled for next year.
Gandu believes 萝莉社鈥檚 participation in the exchange program is an important, unique aspect of the university and gives students a chance to try something new.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity for students to stretch their boundaries and diversify their experiences in the college realm,鈥� he said.
Because 萝莉社 is active in the NSE program, Datario was able to continue her studies without losing any of her credits.
When she鈥檚 not in class, Datario spends time with her five siblings who have all made their way to Wichita and now share a home here.
Her father still lives in the Philippines where he operates their family鈥檚 pork business and rice field, and her mother lives in Hawaii but often travels back to the Philippines to help with the business.
Datario has a strong bond with her family and, although they live far from one another and do different things, they keep in close contact.
The few times all six siblings are together at home, they try to sit down for a meal together that Datario frequently prepares. Her love for food, especially traditional Filipino cuisine, comes from her parents and may eventually lead her into a career in restaurants.
鈥淚 watch the Food Network a lot. I like Rachael Ray and Iron Chef America,鈥� Datario said. 鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 there cooking with them.鈥�
After she earns her undergraduate degree next year, Datario hopes to attend a culinary arts school in Maui.