Destiny played a big role in bringing a young Austrian to College Station. Out of all the places in the United States, Sorin "Reno" Zaharia chose College Station. Photo left by Allison Nagle.

Zaharia knew he was looking at his dream when he visited A&M's West Campus in August 2001. He truly believes he was destined for A&M. He said Texas fascinates him especially the Texas women whom he says are the most beautiful in the world."

Zaharia, a senior international business major at A&M has traveled all over the world and said nothing is a huge culture shock for him anymore, but he does notice cultural differences in America.

"Americans are not encouraged to think enough," said Zaharia. "Americans are encouraged to choose a path for their lives, but they (Americans) are taught there are only two paths -- a right path and a wrong one. Outside of these two options Americans do not expand in their ways of thinking or think very independently.

Zaharia said Americans watch a lot of television and automatically believe what the media shows concerning other parts of the world.

"It seems like your media only shows the bad things happening in other parts of the world. When there are many good things happening as well," said Zaharia. "In Austria we don't watch a lot of TV because we know what we hear on the news won't necessarily be the truth."

"Another cultural difference Zaharia pointed out is that Americans try to please everyone. He said it seems to him that Americans don't say what they truly think because they are afraid of offending someone, but in Europe not telling someone how you truly feel is very offensive."

"I have noticed that when a guy likes a woman in America and she does not like him back, she will lie or avoid him instead of just coming out and saying she doesn't like him," said Zaharia.

He thought it was funny because Austrian women like to talk about drinking and parties, but since he has been here, women have talked with him on a deeper level and even invited him to go to church.

Zaharia said that he, along with many Europeans, do not go to church anymore. In Europe church has not evolved with changing times. He said the church as an institution has not changed much in 150 years from it staunch views. Churches in Europe scare people into come by saying God will punish them if they do not.

"We have just started thinking for ourselves and not listening to the church anymore,"said Zaharia. "We have learned to think for ourselves and make our own opinions of God. The institution of church is falling apart in Europe, but that doesn't mean that people don't have their own personal relationship with God.

Education at the undergraduate level in America does not compare to the universities in Austria according to Zaharia. He does feel, however, that the master's and Ph.D programs in American schools, such as Harvard and Stanford, far surpass any school in Europe.

"Here (A&M) I don't always go to class or study that much because I can still make A's. What I am learning in my senior classes right now are things we learned in freshman classes in Austria," said Zaharia.

He loves America, though, and thinks everyone is very friendly. He said he would consider moving to America especially since destiny led him to fall in love with an Aggie from Amarillo.

"America is a great country, but it is even better when you really choose to live here. Americans never think of living anywhere else, but when you have traveled and lived in all parts of the world, you give yourself choices. Then when you actually choose to live in America, it makes it even better," said Zaharia

Zaharia admits to having a deep respect and admiration for former President George Bush. He says he wants to meet him before he leaves in May for Austria.

In my dream, I also saw George and Barbara Bush; so I have to meet them before I leave or my dream will not be complete," said Reno.

"Europeans love George Bush and I would just love to be able to say I sat and talked with him -- I have so much to ask him."

He said he would encourage anyone to study abroad because you can learn for yourself what other countries are like and form your own opinions of them.

"If you are strong and determined whatever you want to do can come true here in America, so go after your dream," said Zaharia.