Abdullah Al Ghundaf come’s from a family of farmers from a small town 8,000 miles away in Saudi Arabia. Grant-Michael Huber has spent his life in Albany, his Saturday’s spent at Reser Stadium, and spending time at OSU where his father is the head of the veterinary hospital. Despite the distance and variances in upbringing, the two have formed a strong bond.
The two met through INTO’s Cultural Ambassador Conversant program. This program pair domestic students with international students and each week the students spend time with one another. Activities range from attending a sporting event together, enjoying a meal with one another, or going on a hike, and everything in between. Some of Al Ghunduf and Huber’s favorite activities include eating together or going to the gym…show more content… However, being immersed in a new language and culture is still daunting at times. Through his interactions with both Grant and José he has been able to feel more comfortable in his surroundings. He is not only learned about the culture of the United States, but also Colombia. His involvement in the CACP program has also been incredibly helpful in improving his English, especially in terms of slang and linguistic nuances that are difficult to pick up in a classroom setting. He loves having the chance to ask questions and get explanations first hand rather than make assumptions based on films or books. Al Ghunduf encourages other international students to take full advantage of their experience “study hard and make friendships to improve your English quickly, gain culture, and share your hobbies.” For him this goes beyond just CACP, it includes being involved in activities he loves such as intramural soccer, swimming, and like many students, he loves the atmosphere of basketball games and hearing the band
