People worldwide will be watching when President-elect Barack Obama is inaugurated Tuesday as the first black president of the United States, giving them a renewed sense of hope.
“Obama gives me the feeling of being safe in the world,” said Elfriede Bonatti, 40, of Austria, who is an international student studying the English language at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland in Baltimore.
With Obama as president, “visions and dreams can become a reality,” she said.
These international students see Obama as providing different possibilities and are as excited as anyone for America’s future. They are enrolled at another college, but take Notre Dame’s eight-week class to improve their English skills.
Carol Lee, 25, of Taiwan, looks forward to Obama’s alternative energy plans. Taiwan has a large alternative energy market, and America can learn and buy technology from her country, she said.
Ozge Akin Calisir, 27, of Turkey, sees the Iraq War and terrorism as the top issues affecting her country that Obama must face. She called Obama’s inauguration the “opening of a new page” for the United States and the world.
The students plan to watch the inauguration together at the school’s campus, and while their home countries may all be affected in different ways, one thing is certain: Something new is on the way.
“Everybody’s talking about America,” said Mark Andriamanga, 20, of Switzerland. “Of course we’re going to be talking about Obama.”
