A Letter from President Manuel A. Esteban Letters from our Readers			D.A. Antonio Ploszay (B.A., International Relations/Economics, '90) Ra'ed E. Husseini (B.A., International Relations, '92) P.O. Box 818 Riyadh 11421 Saudi Arabia
		It seems like a long time ago in a land far away when I was riding my thirty-five-year-old bicycle to my last class before graduation. I was so excited to be ready for the real world. I didn't mind if my jeans got caught in my bike chain—I liked the thought of soon having enough money to buy new ones. Struggling to stay one step ahead of my father's luring me into the family enterprise in Rome, I moved to Tokyo. At first I worked in a publishing house as a technical translator for electronics manuals (I can translate in seven European languages). My second job has been as an import/export manager. Knowing where to stand in the elevator with your coworkers is not something that is taught in the average international relations course at Chico State. Wildcats, be assured that at least one alum has now learned Japanese elevator etiquette. The lowest ranking member of the office works the buttons (usually a woman, but never a foreigner because everyone knows foreigners are useless when it comes to working elevators). The next lowest are in each corner flanked by the managers and executives, who are on either side of the president who is in the middle. No one talks either—unless you are talking about not talking in the elevator. I also have been auditioning for television and got a part in a World War II drama. I enjoy my life in this part of the world immensely, but I keep dreaming about old, beat-up bicycles in lands far away. D. A. Antonio Ploszay (B.A., International Relations/Economics, '90) On behalf of many Chico State Arab alumni, I wish the beloved Chico State a prosperous year. During my study at Chico State, a group of Arab students and I developed an interest in the aspects of social change and economic development associated with advances in networking and information technology. We turned to Professor Homer Metcalf [Sociology] for advice. He has always been the mentor and adviser to the generations of Arab students who attend Chico State. His help, along with that of Loretta Metcalf [Retention Services], came in all forms including giving us room and board in their home and introducing us to American colleagues. Now I am involved in a joint effort between IBM-Saudi Arabia, AT&T, and the Saudi Ministry of Post, Telex, and Telegraph to bring global communications networks to Saudis and neighbors. As I tackle the tasks associated with this work, I fall back on my academic preparation I received in Chico. The Arab alumni are full of hope that Chico State continues to make us part of your present—and your future. Ra'ed E. Husseini (B.A., International Relations, '92) CHICO STATEMENTS HOME | FEATURES | ALUMNEWS | DEPARTMENTS | CONTACT US CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, CHICO HOME | INDEX | E-MAIL | CATALOG | SCHEDULE | LIBRARY | HELP