UA Enables Bright Futures for International Students

Wednesday, 25 January 2012 14:37

While lounging on the balcony of his house, less than one mile from campus, Ankesh Amarnani, a University of Arizona business economics senior said attending college in the United States opened many windows of opportunity for his future.

The 22-year-old who is from the affluent area of Accra, Ghana said he would be ill-prepared for a successful business career had he pursued higher education in his homeland.  Without his invaluable experiences in the U.S., and his education at the UA, he explained his future job opportunities would be limited.

Amarnani was born in Bombay, India but moved three months later to Africa.  He said that his parents planned his birth to take place in India so that it would reflect his heritage.

“There’s no way I was going to be born in Ghana,” he said, with his British-like accent.  “That’s worse than having a passport from India.  My grandparents were there [in India] during that time as well so it just made sense.”

Despite his birthplace, the Amarnani family was already well established in Accra.

“A long time ago my granddad was doing work in Hong Kong.  He then came to Ghana for some business and saw potential there, so he set up a couple of factories.  My dad, when he was 17 years old, had to take over the businesses for my granddad due to several (my granddad's) heart attacks,” he said.  “So my dad’s been living there for over 40 years.  We’re very settled there.”

Although Bharat Amarnani, Ankesh’s father, has continually poured time and energy into his businesses in Ghana, he has always encouraged his sons to attend college in the U.S.

“He was always pushing me and my brother to attend state-schools. My brother, Kunal, graduated from Georgia Tech in 2010 and I’ll graduate in May.  Even though I applied to schools in England, Canada and the U.S. my dad always wanted us to come here,” he said.

But Amarnani said his parents would never come to live in the U.S.

“They’re too comfortable in Ghana.”

On the other hand, he said he never plans to return and live permanently in Africa.

“I’m currently applying for jobs in New York and California.  Also, I just sent my résumé to my cousin.  He will then send it to top executives from the four biggest consulting companies in Dubai,” he explained.  “I can keep my options open.  I just really don’t want to go back home.”

Amarnani said that working toward a college degree in the U.S. has not only allowed him to obtain a better education, but also has given him the freedom to be more laid-back and carefree.

“Foremost, I’ve truly gained a better education.  Going to a school in the states holds a higher esteem than going to a school back home in Ghana.  When I’m applying for jobs internationally they’ll say, ‘Oh, he went to school in the states.’ It’s just a different mindset.  They perceive you in higher esteem,” he said confidently as he exhaled smoke from his mouth.

He sat in thought smoking his Marlboro cigarette.  With the filtered end lying loosely between his lips, he slowly inhaled and exhaled as he began to explain other benefits of coming to the U.S.

“In Arizona I feel more laid-back and free.  I don’t have the stress of my parents breathing down my back.  I guess you could say it’s an escape,” he said.

While Amarnani admits jokingly that Taco Bell is another North American blessing for which he’s thankful, he said there are far too many laws and regulations in this country.  Particularly, he explained that the drinking age was the one thing that made his transition from Africa more difficult.

“What shocked me was that I could no longer go out to the clubs and bars like at home.  Because the drinking age is 18 in Africa and 21 here, I was stuck in the dorms.  That was the only big hindrance and I didn’t like it very much.  I spent almost all of my time sleeping.  Other than that, it wasn’t too big of an adjustment.”

Laws aside, Amarnani remains confident in his future.  He said that ultimately those who decided not to leave Ghana to receive a better education will not profit from their many years in school.

“They’re going to be stuck there [in Africa],” he explained.  “But my education allows me to go anywhere and be profitable.  I just want to make big money.  Money is prevalent wherever you are.”

Last summer Amarnani traveled to London with the Eller College of Management to take classes and do a business internship.  He said that had he not come to the UA he would have never had such a life-changing opportunity.

“At the end of the day you want to live a better life than your parents and give your kids a better life than you had," he said. "I know I can now do that because I came to the United States.”

Written by Shannon Maule