STUDY-ABROAD STUDENT ZAK AND MAN'S BEST FRIEND

Zak was in my Ethics in Communication Class last semester. I told him in class that I wanted him to be on my future TV show. I enjoyed this interview because Zak has a dog, and I asked the proverb, "Is a dog man's best friend?"

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: Do you feel education is the key out of poverty?
ZAK: I don’t believe that education is the key out of poverty. However, I do believe that obtaining a proper education provides you with the opportunity to better yourself and opens options for possible career paths, and overall, a better standard of life.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: What high school education do you have?
ZAK: I have finished high school. I attended Elgin Park Secondary school in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: Was the SAT hard?
ZAK: The SAT was difficult in the sense that it required a strategy in order to score favorably. It is more complex than taking a normal test, while it is also designed to require the test taker to complete multiple sections in allotted amounts of time. This requires time management, an understanding of the questions you think you could possible have answered correctly, and the ones that you know you did not answer correctly.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: What is your major?
ZAK: I have a double major in Political Science and International Relations.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: How has college made your life better?
ZAK: It has exposed me to a world of different approaches to life. It has shown me that there is more than one simply one way to approach life. From an educational and athletic standpoint, it has allowed me to prosper in a world where competitive nature is key and where everyone is truly fighting to be on top.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: Tell me why you came to the United States for college?
ZAK: I came to the United States for college because of the athletic programs. I currently play baseball here at UNM. Along with the opportunity for a professional career in baseball, I was offered the opportunity to receive a high degree of education for free (or partially free).

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: Why did you pick UNM IN Albuquerque?
ZAK: This decision was difficult because of the atmosphere and social background that I was raised upon in Vancouver. But again, linking back to my previous comment, I was given the opportunity to play baseball and receive a high level of education for a minimal amount of money here in the U.S.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: You have a dog. What is your dog’s name?
ZAK: Well, as you had witnessed first hand, I adopted a dog here in Albuquerque. Or, shall I say, the dog somewhat adopted me. My dog’s name is ‘Ty Lobo Kobb’. The name was generated from three original sources. The first (Ty) was picked by the shelter when I was finishing paper work. The baseball team adopted the second. They felt it was suiting that if the dog was going to hang around with the baseball team, which it did, it should be named Lobo. And lastly, because of the baseball connection, and the fact that the shelter had assigned Ty as his paperwork name, I decided to finish it with Kobb, who is a hall of fame baseball player for those of you who do not know.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: Is it true that a dog is man's best friend?
ZAK: I truly and whole-heartedly believe that. I like to think this was fate because of the timing and earlier motivations before I got Ty. I was driving along San Mateo and Zuni Avenue here in Albuquerque when these two dogs ran across the street about three cars ahead of me. I saw that they were merely puppies and wished them the best while they were crossing the street. They ran into an empty lot as I pulled up to a red light. Curious as to how the dogs ended up, I looked in my rear view mirror only to see the pound had come to grab the dogs. I pulled a u-turn at the light and went back to see what they would do with the dogs. I was surprised to find out that they were going to euthanize them because they were over capacity at the local shelters and pounds. So, I adopted one. They made me pay of course.... Money grabbers.... But in the end, I was happy that we had crossed paths because just days early, I had contemplated the thought of adopting.

To answer the question, I strongly believe so. The team adopted him. My coaches and teammates brought him snacks, treats, food, and toys. They brought him into our family. And, for someone who isn’t anywhere close to home, it was more than amazing to have someone to spend my free time with and just love something so much.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: Did you bring your dog to Canada?
ZAK: Yes, I brought him home over Christmas break. I did this because the baseball season started last week, and already we have been traveling. For the dog’s sake, I made sure he wasn’t going to be left alone or left hungry.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: The "proverb" is animals help you live longer. Is that true?
ZAK: I would like to think so. The companionship and camaraderie that is accompanied by such a loving creature can only contribute to a more stress free environment, one where you can always come home to a wagging tail and a pair of ears to listen no matter what.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: What advice would you give future study-abroad students?
ZAK: I would say make sure you are willing to stick it out for the long run. I am away from home. But then again, I am playing baseball seven days a week and fill my free time with my baseball friends and trying to study while on the road. It is stressful and difficult. But, the opportunities that come from seeing the world and being places that most people never get the opportunity to go to excites me and intrigues me. I like the sense of unknowing, and I love the fact of being self-sufficient. This is a big step for some people, but moving out of your comfort zone is great for finding out who you truly are and what your motivations are in life.

SPANISH-AMIGA$$: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
ZAK: I see myself playing professional baseball in the minor leagues or quite possibly the major leagues. I would like to finish my degree and become either an architect or a lawyer. I want to be able to give my family and I the life that we deserve, a life full of endless possibilities. Owning my own firm or being partners in a firm is not out of the question either. Possibly running for a government position could be in my future???

Zak talks as much as I do. When I am on vacation or need to be in two places at one time, I am calling Zak! SMILE. Until that next great interview, dream big because dreaming is free! Spanish-Amiga$$

WORKS CITED

MacDonald-Miller, Zakary Thomas. February 25, 2010. Personal Communication via e-mail.