A singer turned Fulbright Scholar, Ramjie Odin traveled from the island Mindanao in the Philippines to embark on a five year program toward his Ph.D in fisheries and allied aquacultures.
Odin said although he is adjusting academically and culturally, he has had a lot of firsts in America from failing an exam to performing at UPC's Open Mic Night.
Odin said he learned singing from his dad when he was young, taking a break after his father passed away.
Odin said he picked singing in high school at weddings, hosting events and anything that could get his voice box ringing.
He even auditioned for X-Factor in the Philippines, making it to the fifth round. One round before meeting the judges, he was hospitalized with kidney injuries.
"I was like, 'OK, it's not for me,'" Odin said.
Odin's classmate Guyu Qin is a master's student in fisheries. She befriended Odin and invited him to the open mic night to display the talent she saw.
"He showed us pictures from when he was in the Philippines, and he hosted many events and took part in some singing competitions and had good results," Qin said. "During that he also sung to us, so we knew he had talent. He's humorous, nice and talented."
Qin also said she thinks Odin is very friendly and easy to talk to.
"He's really nice because when I arrived at America I was not good at English, but when I talk to Ramjie when I don't know how to explain my mind, he's understanding," Qin said. "It's amazing. He understands what I am trying to say, and he never hurries up to stop my talking and he knows to wait for me."
Odin said he arrived in the United States less than three months ago to attend his first-choice university as a Fulbright Scholar.
Odin said in his research for placement in the Fulbright program, his search through teachers all led him back to Auburn graduates, increasing his hopes of attending Auburn University.
The Filipino student said he thinks applying to be a Fulbright Scholar at Auburn was the best way he could serve his country.
"Even before, I've been hearing a lot about Auburn University when it comes to fisheries and agriculture," Odin said. "When I was in my undergrad and even in my master's, all the books' authors were from here, so that was how influential Auburn University was for me."
Odin is in his first year of his Ph.D program, and over the course of the next five years he says he looks forward to auditioning for the Auburn Singers and working to be able to serve his country.
Odin works in the fisheries program alongside some of the very same top professors that inspired him to come to Auburn University.
"He's been here a short time so he's in an international learning phase," said Odin's adviser, Rex Dunham. "He's hardworking and seems to be very friendly, dedicated and settling into the student life here. He's always responsive and seems to work well with others."
Odin said after finishing his degree he will have to return to work for his country.
"Right now, I'm thinking of coming up with a project that will involve my university in the Philippines and Auburn and somehow they will consider my university as an extension," Odin said. "That's one of my dreams from this."
Odin identifies as a Filipino Muslim. Mindanao, or the Food Basket, is where many of Filipino Muslims reside.
"In the Philippines I come from a place that is deprived of opportunities," Odin said. "I'm representing a sector that is deprived of opportunities. It's like now that I'm here, I'm trying to represent these people, Filipino Muslims, and to fulfill their dreams, because I know I'm living and fulfilling the dreams of my constituents who are not able to fulfill theirs."
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