Angela Salinas / The Collegian
Cinderella transformed her pumpkin into a carriage, but students of the American English Institute did something much better: They turned their pumpkins into masterpieces.
Over 25 international students took part in the annual pumpkin-carving event this past Wednesday. The students teamed up in groups, pairs or carved alone.
“We [AEI] try to have each session a cultural activity of some kind that students don’t experience in their home country,” said Marcy Gustafson, AEI office manager.
AEI is a non-credit intensive English program for international students representing over 15 countries. The program is designed to prepare students for an academic career at a college or university in the United States.
Some countries represented include: Korea, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Mexico, Indonesia, Colombia, Palestine, Cameroon, El Salvador, Iran, Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam and Peru.
AEI students are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language, which AEI courses help them prepare for, before being accepted into most U.S. colleges or universities.
“Our program helps them develop English skills or improve their current skills until they can pass the TOEFL and get started into university classes,” Gustafson said.
Adriana Ballestas, 26, joined AEI this semester and said that her pumpkin carving experience was funny.
“I’ve never done this before,” Ballestas said.
Bardia Dehghanmanshadi said carving pumpkin for his first time was hard, but he had a good time working next to Ballestas.
“It was fun,” Dehghanmanshadi said. “We talked and joked around together.”
Dehghanmanshadi is from Iran and he has traveled back and forth for the past two years. He hopes to major in plant science once he’s accepted into Fresno State.
Amalia Asuncion, 36, carved a big half moon and small stars into her pumpkin. She said carving pumpkins for the first time was hard, but she enjoyed it.
“I love studying here and I have met many people from different cultures and countries,” Asuncion said.
Asuncion hopes to perfect her English, as well as be accepted into Fresno State.
Once the students were finished carving their pumpkin, everyone voted on which pumpkin deserved first, second and third place.
Alejandro Medina and Hyeonuk Lee tied for third place with Ballestas. Second place was awarded to Alicia Lim and Asuncion. Team Abdullah Alakeel, Omar Alwahib, Feisal Elsaka and Sari Hassan Shawli won first place for their cowboy designed pumpkin.
Some AEI students took a trip to San Francisco at the beginning of October and others experienced the Big Fresno Fair three weeks ago. Students celebrated Halloween Friday by wearing costumes or making their own with material supplied by the AEI.
AEI students will be studying for the TOEFL in the upcoming weeks. The TOEFL is scheduled for Nov. 20.