With the presidential election now at a close, we take time to reflect on that exciting moment that many of our student population enjoyed when Hofstra University had the privilege of hosting the 2012 Presidential Debate on October 16. 2012. Hofstra University’s participation in the U.S. Presidential Debate was an amazing experience and opportunity for every Hofstra student, faculty and staff member to be part of United States History!! Hofstra PRIDE was visible in the eyes and smiles of every student!
As the candidates debated about foreign affairs and the United States’ presence in the world, many lucky international students studying at Hofstra were listening inside the debate hall, as they were chosen to attend the Presidential Debate. These are some of their stories, memories and thoughts from that special day, which offer profound insight and perspective to the United States’ electoral process.
Lucky lottery winners to win a ticket to the
U.S. Presidential Debate…
I checked the email box on October 16
at 12:30 am. I was so excited at that
moment. - Shengxing Zhang, First Year Grad Student, Finance, from China
I was jumping in happiness! -Daniel Rono, Senior, Accounting, from Kenya
It's unbelievable.
This kind of lucky thing never happens to me. So it took a few minutes for
me to believe it was true! –Xi Yuan, First
Year Graduate Student, Accounting, from China
Funny or interesting stories about winning a
ticket to the debate…
 |
| Roommates Anqi Wang & Xiaohan Sun |
I read the email for about 10-15 times, it is the only email I have ever
paid extreme attention to. -Daniel Rono, Senior, Accounting, from Kenya
I
don’t check school email so frequently, especially on the weekend. I am so
glad I did and didn't miss the big show in my life. Now I change my habit to
check my email many times every day. – Xiaoting Hu,
Graduate Student, Finance, from China
My roommate, Anqi Wang won the ticket
3 days before Debate Day and I won a ticket one day before Debate. All of
our friends were jealous of us and they think we live in a lucky
house! - Xiaohan Sun, Graduate Student, Marketing, from
China
When
I first saw the email, I screamed and ran out of my room to tell my roommate.
She was totally scared by my screaming. – Xi Yuan, First Year Graduate Student, Accounting, from China
Seeing President Barack Obama and Governor
Mitt Romney live in the debate arena….
Seeing the president of United States is just a dream come true. I would
love to shake his hand. -Daniel Rono, Senior, Accounting, from Kenya
I feel so proud I am at Hofstra and I could have this chance to witness this moment. – Xiaoting Hu, Graduate Student, Finance, from China
 |
| Laura Magistrali & Brianne Jorgensen |
 |
| Zarb Business School Students |
Favorite moments or memories of the debate…
When they were interrupting each other. President Obama’s well calculated
interruptions and near sarcastic words, “proceed governor, not true governor” -Daniel Rono, Senior, Accounting, from Kenya
In
the end, President Obama repeated "the American Dream". I am excited
because this country still sticks to this belief. – Xiaoting Hu,
Graduate Student, Finance, from China
I am so proud of
Hofstra University! I felt so happy to be a Hofstra student at that moment. You
have no idea how I love my school! I will remember this moment forever in my
life. - Xiaohan Sun, Graduate Student,
Marketing, from China
Thoughts of American political debates and town
hall style…
The debates are a clear indication of how far ahead America is compared
to other countries. The town hall system is good as it get the candidates on a
surprise. It is one way of extracting honest answers from them. -Daniel
Rono, Senior, Accounting, from Kenya
 |
| Mohammad Khadim |
I
really appreciate American political debates. It is fair, public, and
correct. Then everyone can vote by their own idea and everyone
participates to decide the future of their country. - Xiaohan Sun, Graduate Student, Marketing, from
China
Debate
is a great way for people to learn about the candidates, about their policies
and personalities. People can ask candidates directly the things they care most
about. –
Xi Yuan, First Year Graduate Student,
Accounting, from China
It
was great. I consider this a democracy in action not just in words only! -Mohammad Khadim,
First Year Law Student, from Afghanistan
Political debates in your home country…
No, you cannot put political opponents in the same room, they will
fight. -Daniel Rono, Senior, Accounting, from Kenya
Blog by: Sonia Fernandes, Assistant Director, Multicultural and International Student Programs Office
A special thanks to the students that contributed their photos and stories.
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