On January 26, 2007, Rashid Zhussupov, paid our office a visit. Originally from the Republic of Kazakhstan (also referred to as "Kazakstan"), Rashid is currently attending Aiea High School as an exchange student through the Future Leader Exchange (FLEX) Program.
Name: Rashid Zhussupov
Age: 16
Hometown: Temirtau, Kazakhstan
Hobbies: Surfing in Waianae, Wrestling, American popular culture
Originally from a small town, Rashid was quite surprised on his first day at Aiea High School last August. As he recalls, the students were all very warm and friendly, making him feel right at home. Rashid also contributes his acclimation to Aiea High to the many extracurricular activites that he participates in - wrestling, math team, JROTC, and Boy Scouts of America.
"Mentally awake, Morally straight, Physically strong," is the motto by which Rashid lives his everyday life.
Back in Kazakhstan, Rashid attended First Temirtau Classical Lyceum, which required all students to take a total of 16 subjects a year. Rashid compared and contrasted Aiea High School to Temirtau, explaining that high school is much easier and more practical at Aiea because students are able to focus on six subjects, rather than sixteen.
In response to our questions regarding what influenced him to come to Hawaii, Rashid gave us a very colorful explanation. Rashid was originally inspired to travel to America by watching the movie "Home Alone" back in Kazakhstan. That movie, along with "Tom and Jerry" cartoons were initally what sparked Rashid and many other Kazak youth's interests to learn English, a curiousity which eventually developed into an ambition to travel to the United States as a junior ambassador.
Rashid also shared his experiences living with his host parents and host-twin brother and sister, exclaiming how interesting life is with such an active family. Similarly, Rashid also comes from a five-member family. His older brother recently received a scholarship to attend a university in Canada for four years, and his younger brother is still in Kazakhstan. The most surprising fact about Rashid's family is its 200-member extended family get-togethers, which take place every five years. Born to a truck driver father and an accountant mother, Rashid learned the value and importance of a hard work ethic to become successful at everything in life.
At the young age of sixteen, Rashid already has large ambitions to become a future diplomat of Kazakhstan. During his tour of the Capitol, Rashid asked many questions about the steps one must take in order to enter the world of diplomacy. With vigot and determination, he details his future ambitions to study International Relations at a Kazak University. Rashid shared his dream to follow his older brother's footsteps by pursuing a Bachelor's degree in International Relations at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
With a hard work ethic, limitless desire to learn, and a genuine intent to serve people, Rashid is well on his way to becoming the next diplomat, and perhaps President of Kazakhstan.
-Reported by Brandon Marc Higa, 2007 Legislative Aide
For photos of Rashid's visit to the Capitol and introduction the Senate Floor, visit our Gallery > Session 2007 > Senate Floor Presentation - 01.26.07