By Mary Ortiz
Driven, ambitious and gregarious, Jakob Nilsson, a native of Ljungey, Sweden, is the embodiment of the International Club.
Nilsson, the president of the club, is a general business major and a sophomore at Raritan Valley who came to America on August 10, 2005. He feels strongly about the goals and objectives of the club as well as its members.
The International Club of Raritan Valley Community College took a trip to the U.N. building in New York. On Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006 there, the students listened to speeches by speakers who offered ideas and ways to participate and improve the local communities, country and world.
The International Club has been known for its generosity toward the club members offering the Branchburg Rotary Scholarship, the Rotary Scholarship, Axelovelen Scholarship, Ravi Dutta Memorial Scholarship and the International Scholarship.
The club is also sponsoring a Dollar for Education Fund, to help children in need of an education or to provide supplies where needed in the world.
Creating lasting relationships, having a role in helping people in need, being rewarded with scholarships and experiencing the very essence of motivation and taking initiative is what being an International Club member is all about.
The week following the U.N. trip Nilsson spoke with The Record.
How was the U.N trip?
The U.N. trip was a lot of fun. Doing trips like these make the work you do in the club so much more fun. Though you had to sit and listen to a lot of speeches, it was a memorable event. I also found the trip very inspiring.
How have students benefited? How have you benefited from the club?
For me, the International club has been a great support. Through the club I have met a ton of friends, many which I have become very close friends with. If it wasn’t for my work in the International Club I would not have been involved at the school at all. I can honestly say that the International Club has enriched my life.
If I am supposed to speak for other students, I would probably say that in the international club you meet a lot of close friends that will help you in whatever you do. You are treated as if you are in a big family, a family with different cultures and interests but generally the same goals: to do well in school.
How do you feel about the club?
As you might have noticed by now, I feel like I owe the club a lot. The club has really enriched my life, both on and off campus. The only problem I see with the club is that we have so many things we do at the moment, and I would really like a week off once and a while.
What made you stick to it?
It was my older sister who told me to join the International Club when I started at the school, though I have never been quick at joining things, so it took me a semester before I joined the club. When I joined the club, I was immediately welcomed like one in the group. I have never really have a problem meeting new people, but I was amazed at how fast I became close friends with a lot of the people in the club.
Because I enjoyed spending time with the people in the club I always volunteered for different events when people were needed.
How long have you been president?
I have only been the president of the club during this semester. My advisor asked me if I wanted the job, and I am pretty much involved in everything we do in the club so why not be the president. The thing with the International Club is also that I don’t really see one president. All the officers do an equal amount of work and there has never been a power struggle. Everybody just feel like they want to help out and do their best. The only thing that might differ for me as president is that I have to represent the club. I have to go to all the meetings, be present at all events.
How do you feel about your members?
I have become friends with all the active members in the club, and I try to help them when they need me and I owe a lot to them. If it wasn’t for certain members, I would not have gotten some scholarships that I have received and I wouldn’t feel the same motivation of going to an event. I usually say that I am not involved in the International Club in order for me to get a title or anything that might benefit me in the end: I am involved for the people around me, and I have also noticed that it can actually be fun to make a difference in the world.
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The International Club meets every Tuesday, noon to 1 p.m. Tulsi Maharjan is the advisor for the club as well as director of government relations. For more information, call (908) 526-1200 ext. 8312.
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