Assignment: Radio

Traveling abroad is a tricky thing. You learn and experience so much, meet new people….but it can be very isolating and lonely at times. Assignment: Radio’s Ana Noshpal tells the story of the first time she felt she had found who she was, in the context of another country. 

The theme of this episode of Assignment: Radio is “Firsts”. So, what better way to end it than with the first host of the show?

First kisses are built up so much, but not everything always goes as planned. If I had one first that I could redo, it would be my first kiss.

And it's not necessarily because of the kiss itself, although it was nothing spectacular by any means; I want to re-do it because of my reaction to the kiss. 

Although the United States is a popular destination for exchange students around the world, not all exchange students choose to study in Oklahoma. Adrian Guarrera (University of Nice, France) and Rich Dawson (University of Sheffield, England) about their first time experience in the Sooner State.

Dawson: My first time in Oklahoma was crazy, y’all.

Guarrera: My first time in Oklahoma was definitely unforgettable.

Dawson: We’ve been here since August of last year on an exchange year and we’re going to be leaving in like 3 weeks.

“Tonight I’ll run five miles through my neighborhood, a task that at one time seemed Herculean and has almost begun to feel downright routine. I’ve been intentional about weaving running into my life, it has become almost irreplaceable as a source of sanity for me.”

Nathan Gunter wrote these words in his blog just last month. Starting in late January, Gunter planned out a three-and-a-half month training program for first-time runners.

“Ever since I could walk I’ve never been a home run hitter, I let the other guys do that and grab the glory.” says Craig Aikin, Centerfielder at the University of Oklahoma.

Craig Aikin is a freshman Centerfielder for the University of Oklahoma’s baseball team. He’s generously listed at 5’ 10” on the Sooners roster. He’s known for his speed, but he showed at a young age he has some power.

Tia Brooks lives a superman life style. One moment she is an Olympic athlete, and the next she is a regular college student. Brooks began her athletic career in high school running track, before she switched to shot put. That change allowed her to continue as a collegiate athlete at the University of Oklahoma, which then brought her to London in 2012.

A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Atiba Williams began playing the steelpan before most people his age were potty trained. By age 4 he was playing the national anthem at major festivals and by age 5 he was composing his own original pieces.