Student from Kenya interns in D.C.
Russ Pohl
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Focus
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Kidenda is a native of Kenya, a country located in central Africa alongside the Indian Ocean. She was capable of attending college in the United States through Zawadi Africa, an education fund which helps African girls get scholarships for American colleges.
Kidenda learned about Hillsdale through Zawadi Africa after an advisor told her to seriously consider the school.
She was attracted to Hillsdale's reputation for having an excellent economics department, initially intending to major in it. After her freshman year, however, she switched her major to finance.
Kidenda didn't enjoy Hillsdale when she arrived for the first time at the beginning of her freshman year.
"Being in the middle of nowhere is never really fun," Kidenda said.
Despite that, Kidenda says she now enjoys being here.
"I think it's the people," said Kidenda, joking about the welcome sign people see as they enter the city of Hillsdale.
Coming from an African background, Kidenda was very unfamiliar with Hillsdale's curriculum, which stresses education in the Western tradition.
"The classes to me here are like crash courses on why America is awesome," said Kidenda. "What made it much harder for me was that I didn't know much about American history beyond the fact that George Washington was the first president."
While at Hillsdale, Kidenda has become involved with Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to helping people with mental disabilities. She is also a member of the political economy club and is an RA in the McIntyre dormitory.
Kidenda's friend Rebecca Duberstein says she is a motivated and precise person.
"She is extremely bold and has a great sense of humor," Duberstein said. "You can tell by talking with her that she has a purpose here at Hillsdale."
Kidenda's first impression with Hillsdale was very similar to her first impressions of living in the United States.
"I was expecting more of a vibrant feel," she said. "Then when you come here and you hear about all the problems such as unemployment that are happening right now, it wasn't what I expected to hear coming to America."
Over the summer, Kidenda interned at Navy Mutual, a company that provides life insurance to members of the United States military. She worked at the company's headquarters in Washington D.C., managing company events and writing newsletters.
"I loved D.C. so much," said Kidenda. "It's so far the best experience I've had so far here."
Kidenda has not returned to Kenya since she first arrived at Hillsdale College in August 2008. She will finally go home for Christmas break this year.
"I miss home a lot, but I'm not homesick," said Kidenda.
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