With more than 5,203 international students coming to the University from 117 countries during the fall 2010 semester, the University represents a global community.

But behind the numbers lie a student and a story. Despite the geographical and cultural distance separating their traditions and hometowns from Ann Arbor, there is a common experience and a shared determination among these students hailing from all across the globe.

Zimbabwe

After traveling the world, attending a United States presidential inauguration and witnessing the fervor of vuvuzela-buzzing soccer fans at the 2010 World Cup, it’s hard to imagine how someone can top these experiences. But LSA freshman Palesa Matinde, who is originally from Zimbabwe, labels her first University of Michigan football game as one of the happiest days of her life.

“That was actually the time that I realized I had made the right decision coming to the school,” Matinde said.

Landmark historical moments aside, Matinde has seen more than the average college freshman.

Attending school and spending her youth in Marondera, a small farming town outside of Zimbabwe’s capital city of Harare, Matinde says she had an “awesome” educational experience, in which she learned French, English and Shona — the local language — against the backdrop of a game reserve, lake and farm fields.

Despite its pastoral scenery, Matinde wants her fellow students to know that Africa, especially Zimbabwe, is more than the desert terrain and playful animal kingdom depicted in "The Lion King."

Matinde speaks with a mixed accent that reflects her shared time between England, where her mother lives, and Zimbabwe and South Africa, where her father lives. Describing Zimbabwe, Matinde discusses "the indescribable warmth" of her countrymen, who she says have a "child-like faith" in their country.

This faith may seem admirable to some after Matinde describes her otherwise idyllic education interrupted by “occasional” riots, government rallies and other signs of the regime under which she lived. These small disturbances, however, aren't nearly as difficult as the day-to-day experiences of people in poorer areas of the country.

As former junior mayor of her town's junior council, Matinde witnessed the harsh conditions of her country’s shantytowns when traveling beyond the comforts of her school to look for eye-opening experiences and kinship. In the poorer areas, Matinde says she could feel the toll of the regime on the people, who often did not have access to clean water and were left wearing little more than rags.

But as Matinde stresses, Zimbabwe — which established independence in 1980 — needs time to find a political and economic balance.

“We’ll get here one day, but we’re still so young, and we still have so much to learn — so much to grow from — so I don’t doubt that we’ll rectify the problems that need to be resolved,” she said.

Matinde says she has seen a positive change even in the past two years, with restaurants bustling and food filling store shelves. Despite Zimbabwe’s past turbulence and Matinde’s many travels, she calls Zimbabwe “her” country, suggesting that the warmth of Zimbabwe can overcome it all.

“I have roots in South Africa, I have ties in England as well, but Zimbabwe has my heart,” she said.

Despite leaving the warmth of Zimbabwe for the literally cooler climate of Michigan, Matinde says she feels at home at the University. In fact, Matinde said she feels the United States, Ann Arbor included, is more similar to Zimbabwe than its perceived cultural kin, England.

Though it was her second college of choice — her first choice was Columbia University — Matinde said she is happy with her decision to attend the University of Michigan and is enjoying the friendliness of students and school spirit at football games.