She works hard for her money...
Havanna Hagans
Issue date: 2/23/06 Section: Whos that
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"Where I am from is like a New York City," Thakali said. "Everything is together. When I came here it was a big shock for me."
Thakali is a junior health information, or medical records, major from Kathmandu, Nepal, a land almost like the size of Arkansas, she said.
Swimming, water skiing, ballroom dance and cooking are just a few activities she does for fun. Eating ice cream pie and pizza is also an excitement.
"One time I had to go to Wal-Mart at midnight to get it because I craved it so bad," Thakali said.
In Nepal, there are no canned foods and everything is organic, which takes a longer time and more effort to prepare, Thakali said.
At Eastern, Thakali has been a part of the Honors Program, International Students Association, Student Government Association, and Academic Affairs Committee.
She also served as a student representative for the Quality Enhancement Plan Steering Committee, which is developed as part of the Student Activities Council Review Project.
She also worked at Aramark, ResNet and the International Office.
At the ISA Recognition of Leaders and Service Providers, Thakali was named ISA Activities Coordinator for 2005 - 2006 by ISA President Dolores Couch and Chitra Viswanathan, a representative from the election committee.
Thakali said she likes Eastern because of the smaller campus and the way people communicate.
"You can go to somebody about anything," Thakali said, "but in Nepal, you don't have that. You get more attention from (Eastern) professors. They are there if I need help or don't understand."
Despite her strong involvement on campus, Eastern was not Thakali's first choice for an education.
She originally wanted to go school in India, but her parents felt she needed to learn what it's like to be independent, Thakali said.
"At home your parents take care of you like a spoiled child. I never worked in my life," Thakali said. "We don't have jobs over there."
Thakali said she never learned how to work in Nepal.
"If you're an okay family they don't want the women to work. There's just so many questions and questions," Thakali said. "For men (to work) is understandable."
In Nepal, Thakali and her sisters had servants at home, but their dad made them do a little work as well, Thakali said. However, she and her sisters were taught to be more social, rather than pick up a job. It was more important for them to have relationships with friends and family and do school work, Thakali said.