YOUNGSTOWN Degree from YSU gives woman from Zimbabwe a chance to travel

Chadambura's mother was in Youngstown for the commencement celebration.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Growing up in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe in southern Africa, Brenda Chadambura always knew she wanted to travel the world.
Chadambura, 25, now hopes to do just that with a bachelor's degree in international business from Youngstown State University.
She was among more than 750 graduates who received diplomas at the YSU commencement last Saturday.
Chadambura, who was the student speaker at commencement, came to the United States and Youngstown four years ago after graduating from high school in Zimbabwe. She started classes immediately after her arrival in January 1999 and lived with her uncle, who also was studying at YSU at the time.
"My first day of classes was canceled because of snow and ice," she said, adding that her mother sent her extra sweaters from Africa that first month to keep her warm in blustery Northeast Ohio. "I wasn't used to this weather. I was used to much warmer weather most of the time."
Chadambura's mother, Miriam, was in Youngstown to attend the commencement celebration. It was her first visit to the United States.
Adjusted well
Aside from the weather, Chadambura says she adjusted well to life in the United States.
"English was not an issue for me, but I had some problems with slang," said Chadambura, who speaks both English and her native Showna. "My roommates still look at me funny sometimes because I use different words for things like an elevator, which is a 'lift' to me."
Chadambura said she is glad she decided to come to the United States and study at YSU because it has exposed her to many different cultures and people. She said she also is glad her parents instilled in her a passion for traveling when she was younger.
"It is a good steppingstone to go to other countries," said Chadambura, who has traveled to South Africa, Botswana and Great Britain as well as throughout Zimbabwe. "I have been exposed to many different cultures."
At YSU, Chadambura was president of the International Students Association and Penguin Toastmasters, and she was a member of the Williamson College of Business Administration's Leadership Council and Chi Alpha, a Christian fellowship.
After graduation, she plans to work for a year and then go to graduate school.