Bluffton's international flavor is one of this community's best-kept secrets. This is the first in a series of features on Bluffton University international students. The writer is Jessanna Buschur, first-year Bluffton student, a broadcast and journalism major. Bluffton alumni from the 1970s, may know her parents, Bob and Jenelle (Roth) Buschur.

Tsedey Biru
From Ethiopia
Senior at Bluffton University
Biology and chemistry major

By Jessanna Buschur
Tsedey Biru, an international student at Bluffton University, is no stranger to the United States. Moving to Virginia as a sophomore in high school, she has continued to study here to enrich her life and take advantage of opportunities.

Tsedey said that she knew what she wanted in a college, and her high school guidance counselor was a graduate of Bluffton who steered her in this direction. After one visit to Bluffton, she said that she knew she was meant to be here.

Since Ethiopia is a 20-hour flight away with a time difference of eight hours from Bluffton, being away can be difficult. Tsedey says that she especially misses her tight-knit family and the community she calls home.

Living in Addis Abab, the capital of Ethiopia, Tsedey said that while there are millions of people living there, there is still a big sense of community. Tsedey said, "Here in America, it is you and family only. (In Ethiopia) it is mostly community living with neighbors who are like family. There is not a lot of 'me' thinking. Neighbors treat children as if they are their own."

"Living here, life is so fast paced and everyone is always on the go. People don't sit down and enjoy families. That kind of stuff I miss," Tsedey said. Things like this make Tsedey miss home, but there are also countless benefits to attending Bluffton, she says.

Tsedey appreciates the little things that others may not realize they are blessed with. She said, "I'm doing things I've never even dreamed of. Ever since I was five, I've dreamt of being a doctor." Tsedey hopes to make that dream a reality.

While she still calls Ethiopia home, Tsedey says that has potential to change. She is taking advantage of all the opportunities that living here has to offer and says that she is glad to be attending Bluffton.

Tsedey provided The Icon one of her favorite recipes from home:

Sauteed Lamb Chops
Ingredients
Lamb meat- cut into small squares
Onions, cut in small squares
Peppers (green, red and yellow)
Tomatoes, cut in small squares
Garlic, minced
Ginger, minced
Rosemary leaves or powder
Butter/oil
Seasoning (Salt and pepper)

Directions
1- Heat a large sauce pan and when well heated, add some butter or oil
2- Add the minced garlic and ginger and onions as well and cook until golden brown
3- Add the lamb meat and cook until tender
4- Add the tomatoes and peppers with the rest of the ingredients and cook for a few minutes more
5- Season with salt, pepper and rosemary leaves/powder
6- Enjoy