Foreign students take Phl to heart

A Silliman University student was cited as one of three most Outstanding International Students at ceremonies held at the University Hotel of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City on 5 December.

Joseph Msafiri Mbilu, a 23-year-old from Tanzania and a fifth year engineering student at Silliman University, said the process for consideration for the award was quite challenging. The contestants took various tests that especially focused on Philippine history and culture.

"The process involved categorizing schools and the rule specified the need of having previous winners in certain schools, a criterion that Silliman University fulfilled. The primary qualification was having an international student, and the school had to select a representative. They chose me  and I was surprised they did. I saw it as an opportunity and was determined not to disappoint the university. I gave it my best effort and, with God's blessing, we made it," he said.

"We had an interview, a talent portion, an extemporaneous speech, and a written exam. The exam covered Philippine history and culture, with questions specifically focused on these topics. I prepared for the exam, studying subjects such as Rizal and Philippine independence, anticipating that they would be asked," Mbilu said.

Nigerian shines

Mbilu was joined by Health Science student from Nigeria, Flourish Oluwasifayo Awe, of De La Salle University Medical and Health Science Institute, and an Education student from Russia, Vladimir Zudinov, of Saint Louis University.

They were chosen based on their community involvement, talent, academic performance, speech, and knowledge of their host country as demonstrated in their written examination and panel interview.

 When asked how it felt to ace the award, Mbilu said he felt pure happiness.

"It is an amazing feeling, truly satisfying. At first, I was just trying to do my best. However, the outcome resulted in pure happiness, and the magnitude of it is overwhelming. Initially, I was simply getting involved, not expecting this level of success," he said.

 Mbilu started studying at Silliman University in 2018 when his father migrated to the Philippines to teach at the Divinity School of the university.