by Sarah Baloucoune

When I was a kid, an idea popularized within African countries was the very known and fantasized about “American dream.”

I grew up with it in some African movies related to freedom from certain situations like poverty or war, which made us Africans believe America was the best and most fantastic land on Earth and that being here is an almighty blessing for any person. But nowadays I think that this idea is dead, and I am not the only one. And now I just wonder, what happened to the American dream? Was this country always like this?

As I am speaking for the African citizens as an exchange student, I have barely seen a country downgrade in popularity as fast as the U.S. during the last decade. This country, which we now see as hate land, an anti-everything nation, a shoot-and-run territory, is moving further and further away from the glorious America that made people dream in the past.

These days most people that want to come live here are either seen as fearless conquerors ready to fight to be powerful in this world, or poor hopeless humans, ready to give their lives to live a normal life.

We exchange students come here to learn from you and teach you. Just like the name states, it is an exchange of my knowledge for yours. Just like not all immigrants come here to save themselves; sometimes it is just because they want to see how it is in the U.S.

One of the biggest reasons why the country is a victim of the reputation it has now is because of the violence that strikes it regularly. Murder, rape, kidnapping – all of those issues are found all over the world, but in the U.S., they are on another level. Not to mention the easy access to guns, which opens doors to violent people who don’t take time to think about what they do.

The media, which at first glance is so nice about this country, talking about everything that happens here, is, in reality, double-faced, as it also talks about everything negative here as well. The U.S. media may not talk about other countries, but those countries constantly see what is happening in the U.S. Because of that, the violence is even more visible to nations around the world and appears to be more regular than in reality. 

For the young population, the ordinary American became a comic image of violence and machismo; and for some, obese gluttonous beasts that hate anything but fast food and their moms. Because of the influence of movies and media that show Americans in a bad light, they have been reduced to caricatures of the stereotypes people created around the world.

But to be honest, I didn’t meet anyone that acts like that or looks like they could act like this, so I can tell this is a misrepresentation that was unfortunately normalized around the world, one that was created to mock Americans.

But I have met only friendly people here. I still haven’t seen in four months, outside of people in the TV or rumors, someone here to harm me or anyone for fun. Some of you even talk to people without knowing them. That’s nice, even if kind of weird.

I won’t say anything about the way people see the political side of the U.S. I try to stay neutral in that, but I can tell that health care is seen as a joke for how expensive it is, and that gun violence is seen as a part of this country by foreigners who can’t see the U.S without it. If I can say something about both, it is that they are serious problems that people view as jokes, even if they are threats to American society.

The country is seen as a successful land with a lot of messes everywhere and many problems hidden behind a beautiful flag, and one of the most popular problems is the educational system, which, as I said in a previous column, is considered to be the worst and most “baby-like” on earth.

You can ask any exchange student if an American school is complicated, and most of the time the answer will be a big “no.” But something we exchange students aren’t ready for is how dangerous America really is. I never expected when I came to this country I would witness an event like the recent shooting at New Albany’s Harvest Homecoming. I know it happened a while ago, but I needed time to process the shooting there.

Every day, a new life is taken for no real reason. Every night someone takes their own life because of how complicated life is. The first idea that comes to my mind when I think of this is: Is America really worth traveling to?

In my opinion, America is worth coming to, with more opportunities to discover than we know, and more fun when we are careful. This country may be violent, but it doesn’t take away that it is an evolving country like any other, with its flaws and graces.

Like I said, we already know about the violence that exists in the U.S., but it is different once you live it. I am very profoundly hurt for everyone who lost their lives, and I pray that their families find comfort in their sorrow.

Remember, your life matters. Take care of yourself and others always and at all costs. Live. Love. Laugh.

by Emelyn Gantulga

When I was younger, I yelled at my parents for not getting me what I wanted. Now, looking back at it, one can realize how much time has passed since then. Traveling to a new foreign place is tough, but going through it alone is even tougher. That’s why people should cherish the time they have, although they may not get along with someone else. Moreover, as a student who had to travel to a new continent, there are many key elements to be aware of. These key elements include being homesick, being safe, and getting used to the new environment.

A home is considered a safe place, or the people that make a person feel safe. And when a person travels somewhere else, they’ll miss their home and culture. Home is what makes a person feel warm and happy because they’ll always know that they have somewhere to go.

However, moving somewhere new takes that feeling away because a person will find out that it’s never going feel the same way it did. Additionally, that’s why most people get homesick the minute they step into a new place because they know it will never replace the feeling of home, which is why when a person travels to somewhere new, they need to be aware of getting homesick and being safe and getting used to what’s around them. 

It’s important to be safe. An article by the United Nations states, “More than 50,000 migrants die in search of a better life.” From this article, we know that even though people travel for new opportunities, they should still consider the myriad amount of risks that come along the way.

Furthermore, people should also be aware when traveling, because it’s hard to predict what will happen that day. This is only to ensure the safety of people that travel somewhere new because it’s hard to get somewhere far away. This is why people should prioritize their safety when it comes to traveling and getting used to somewhere new.

Despite getting older, people still keep familiar habits. The National Library of Medicine states, “Creating a healthy home environment in infancy is critical, as home characteristics in early infancy (six months) may remain constant into toddlerhood.”

This could signify that traveling and living somewhere new can be compared to a baby getting used to their home. Additionally, when people travel somewhere new, there can be new experiences they haven’t felt before, which will give opportunities for people to erudite in new places. Because, in some places, there could be certain foods that aren’t the same as back home, and temperature and culture may be different. This is a feeling many travelers feel when they travel somewhere new to live in because in most cases they either travel to experience a new feeling or to do it for the benefit they desire. 

In conclusion, traveling can be a tough experience. This is because traveling can make a person feel a thrill, along with many other feelings as well. On the other hand, key elements to look out for when it comes to traveling include being homesick, being safe, and getting used to the new environment. Additionally, moving somewhere completely new can be fun, but one should always be cautious no matter the circumstance.

by Viviana Gonzalez Chavez

The recent Hurricane Helene destruction affected many places, including a town very close to my heart. 

Chimney Rock, located in Chimney Rock State Park North Carolina, is a small village near the summit of one of many large mountains in the state. It is home to all kinds of wildlife, from King Snakes to Box Turtles; its large establishment has become a home for many animals and takes the necessary precautions to keep them safe.

Chimney Rock actually began with the Morse family, which owned the land the park stands on. After being privately owned for many years, the state of North Carolina decided to buy it from the family to be able to open it up to the public. With its gorgeous views and peaceful trails, its lively town, and welcoming staff, why not share it with other families too, and let them enjoy its wonders?

That is actually what motivated my family and I to visit it for ourselves. My father had actually talked so often about its beauty that we decided that the next time we visited NC, we had to go. And with that, we packed up our bags and hit the road. We had gone with some relatives who lived nearby, and I vividly remember looking outside at the nearby forests, the summer sun peaking through the tree leaves, its warmth on our faces with the sunroof open. 

When first entering Chimney Rock, you get to drive past Lake Lure Beach where kids have fun all summer long, many kinds of different shops and restaurants where you can buy all sorts of souvenirs. You see families all hanging out, having fun, enjoying summer, and oblivious to how little time they have left to spend at such a captivating site. 

Visiting Chimney Rock was the highlight of my 2024 summer break, and for a good reason, it gave us so many great experiences. The fun trails where my cousins and I laughed as we played silly games and talked about our lives. The waterfall where my sister fell and a kind worker cleaned up and aided her scraped knee. Or the cute shops near the beach where we spent our allowances trying to get all the fun souvenirs. And to top it all off, a delicious ice cream from a nearby restaurant after walking for hours exploring the park. 

Everyone in my family had fun, which is why it came as a big surprise when a couple of weeks ago news broke out that the village of Chimney Rock was completely destroyed and gone. 

What was once a lively town is now nothing but sludge, where vast amounts of water completely wiped it out. 

Hurricane Helene was a tropical storm that made its way across the southeast coast of the U.S. and into the Carolina states. According to an online article in the Economist, it was so devastating that in just the city of Asheville, NC, 35 people passed away and at least 600 residents are missing. WBTV stated that an estimated 20 homes were lost in the disaster, as well as 40 businesses. 

Not only did it take the people and their homes, but it also trapped the survivors in its dangerous remains. Chimney Rock’s main roads and river banks were all flooded with debris, blocking any access to or from the outside world. In the same feature on WBTV, Mayor Peter O’Leary spoke of the irreversible damage and its lengthy recovery. 

But this didn’t just happen in Chimney Rock. All around North Carolina towns were devastated by Helene. In a recent report by Axios Charlotte, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper talked about the damage caused during the hurricane’s rampage, with around 30 and a half billion dollars worth of damage from flooding and winds, as well as a total estimated of about $53 billion, the largest monetary cost for a storm in the state’s history. 

Hearing the news, my heart sank knowing that such a large portion of my family lived so nearby. Our home became a mess of phone calls and text messages trying to get through to someone, anyone, to see if they had heard back from my cousins. 

We didn’t get a secure line until three days after the hurricane struck. 

During the past weeks, there has been much commotion about the hurricane and the chaos surrounding many coastal communities. But what about the missing people, the wiped out towns, the lost families and homes of other states like North Carolina?

In early October the NC Department of Public Safety published a column depicting the aid the state has been receiving. It talks about search and rescue efforts that are ongoing in Western North Carolina, alongside coordinated efforts to restore essential infrastructure and deliver urgently needed food, water, and supplies to communities affected by Hurricane Helene.

While these efforts help aid needy communities, there is still so much more that can be done. There are hundreds of nonprofit organizations that you can donate to, not just for NC but to all communities in need of your help. Fannie Mae, World Vision, The Salvation Army, and the Kiplinger Foundation are all excellent examples of involved and effective organizations that specialize in the helping of others. 

It is thanks to the help of the outside world that people like my cousins can stay in contact with us, they can live in a comfortable environment with food and shelter. It is thanks to the help and generosity of others that they can begin to try to regain a sense of normalcy in their lives, going back to the way things were before they were inundated by Hurricane Helene. 

Just a simple act of kindness could help facilitate the lives of those in need. 

by Miranda Flores

6 years, 1 month, and 24 days.

As of Oct. 18, 2024, that is how much time we have left until our climate clock hits zero. Our carbon budget would be depleted and the possibility of devastating global climate impacts would be colossal.

The biggest contributor to climate change is the use of fossil fuels. They account for over 75 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions and just about 90 percent of carbon dioxide emissions globally. These gasses wrap around our Earth and trap the sun’s heat inside the atmosphere. This, in turn, raises our global temperature, causing global warming.

With the rise of global warming comes intense heat waves, melting of glaciers and ice sheets, and rising sea levels. These things directly affect us and our daily lives.

Just this past month there have been three hurricanes and one intense tropical storm in the Northern Hemisphere. Since Oct. 28, the storms have collectively caused at least 372 fatalities and more than $190 billion in damages. As the years go on and global climate change worsens, the destructive potential of these natural disasters will continually increase.

The effect that global warming has on the economy will also affect us negatively. 

The social cost of carbon is an estimate, in dollars, of the economic damages that would result from emitting one additional ton of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It is currently used by local, state, and federal governments to inform billions of dollars of policy and investment decisions in the United States and abroad. 

Studies by Adrien Bilal and Diego Känzig estimate that by the year 2050 climate damages could amount to 10-20% of GDP, with a social cost of carbon exceeding $1,000 per ton. Preventing future climate change is far cheaper than coping with its costly damages, but what can we do?

Climate change is a serious issue we all face today, but luckily there are many different solutions we can do to help reverse it before its effects become too much.

Keeping fossil fuels in the ground, investing in renewable energy, and restoring and protecting nature are all ways we can fix the climate issue. For some people, these solutions might seem too difficult and overwhelming but there are simpler options for everyday people. 

Recycling and reducing the consumption of single-use plastics can be a great way to help stop pollution that causes global warming. We can also slow down how much we consume things like fast fashion, certain food products, and our transportation. Switching to electric vehicles and minimizing plane travel will not only help stop climate change, it will reduce air pollution too.

Doing these simple tasks can help keep our planet alive for many generations to come but we can’t do this alone. Only working together can make a difference, so why not give it a try?

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress and working together is success.” Henry Ford