From Swaziland to Fulton: The Internship Experience

Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Center would like to introduce their new intern Mthobisi Maseko “Tobey” from Simunye, Swaziland. Tobey is a student with Westminster College and is seeking a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science.  Here are a few facts about “Tobey.”

• What brought you to the United States?  I came here for educational reasons, basically to get a good quality education that can make me competitive in the job market, anywhere in the world.
• What does your educational background entail?  Have you attended any previous colleges/universities? I attended UWC-USA in New Mexico before enrolling in Westminster College.  There I received the International Baccalaureate diploma.
• What brought you to decide on the degree you have chosen?  I am interested in economics, politics, and development, and I hope that one day I can be to positively impact the economies of developing and/or under developed regions, hence I am hoping that this degree can equip me with the necessary tools before I go into the job market.
• What two experiences stick out the most from your travels?
  •  Meeting people from different cultures, religions, social and economic backgrounds, and getting to learn more about them as well as teaching them about myself and where I come from.
  • The contrast in the environments.  Swaziland and the United States, and the culture shock and lifestyle changes that I experience having moved from an underdeveloped country to a first world country.
• What are you goals for the future? I hope that I could one day lend a helpful hand in developing poor regions, and in the process, eradicating poverty, illiteracy, and diseases for the world to be a better place for all, regardless of where they may be born.
• What do you like the most about Westminster College?  I like the fact that Westminster has the feel of a global community, with students from countries all over the world.  That just makes it feel more like UWC, and the global community that the world is turning into.  Of course, as in international student, this makes me feel more comfortable as I have numerous people that are in the same situation, that of being away from home and hence we can all find a new home among ourselves.
• Do you have anyone special that you look up to?  Someone that has inspired you along life’s journey to lead you to where you are today? I look up to my mother a lot, as she has inspired me with her courage, hard work and big dreams that she has always had for me and my siblings.  Having raised 3 kids on her own, she has inspired me to dream bigger and of course, be a better man as I hope to match the father role that she played in my life.  Even though she might not have much material wealth accumulating, I know that she has achieved more than I could have imagined, for one, she now has a son studying abroad as a result of her inspiration.