“For anyone who wants to join MSD, I would say please, please, please join us!  Don’t worry about having a computer science background because they will teach you all the foundational knowledge you need. Just follow your passion to be a computer programmer. The whole education is set up to help you learn, and the block system is great because you take one course at a time, which helps you focus and gain deeper knowledge than with the traditional system. Here at MIU, everything is so nice and peaceful.” ~ Gemechu Tiko

Learn more about Gemechu and his journey from Ethiopia to MIU’s Masters in Software Development program.

Interview by Christine Albers (CA)

CA: How did you learn about MSD?

Gemechu: I have a close family member who graduated from ComPro (MIU’s MS in Computer Science program) in 2020. When I told her I wanted to learn computer science and pursue my dream to become a programmer, she recommended MSD, which is similar to ComPro but doesn’t require a computer science background. So that’s how I heard about MIU.

CA: What was it like when you first arrived on campus?

Gemechu: I loved it here right away. Everyone was so friendly and helpful with finding my dorm and my room. On my first day, I met 5 students and within 5 or 10 minutes we became friends and have remained best friends to this day. I also love the healthy food and peaceful environment.

CA: What was your educational background?

Gemechu: My least favorite subject in high school was math. How you get your education changes the way you understand things, and my secondary school math teacher, Mr. Sentayehu, was the motivation for my new journey in mathematics. Since studying with him, math has become my favorite subject. My love of solving math and physics problems helped me graduate with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Mekelle University.

CA: Did you work as a mechanical engineer after college?

Gemechu: I was working, but not in my field of mechanical engineering.  There are very few jobs back home, so I came to the USA to spend time with my father and look for better job opportunities.  I took a computer science course in C++ on my own and really liked coding, so when I learned about MSD at MIU, I quickly applied to become a student.

CA: How are your professors?

Gemechu: Oh, they are so nice. One of them was you. We asked you so many questions and you answered without any hesitation.

Every instructor answers every question, even if we ask beyond the course, and even at night time if we try to communicate, they will answer our questions.  They are so helpful.

So far, we had Professor Muhyieddin, Professor Renuka, Professor Sanad, and Professor Cathy Gorini and I liked all of them.  Every instructor is great. Each has their own way of teaching a good lesson to us and they encourage us to ask questions. They never get tired of us asking the same question again and again and we ask a lot of questions.

CA: What are your plans when you graduate?

Gemechu: I have a wish to be a computer science expert so I will pursue my dream of being a software developer. My two brothers and one of my sisters moved to Minnesota and live with my father, so if it’s possible, I’d like to live near my family, but I’m willing to go anywhere in the U.S.

CA: What would you say to a student who is applying for MSD?

Gemechu: I would say please, please, please join the MSD program. Don’t worry about having a computer science background because they will teach you all the foundational knowledge you need. Just follow your passion to be a computer programmer. The whole education is set up to help you learn and the block system is great because you take one course at a time, which helps you focus and gain deeper knowledge than with the traditional system.

CA: Do you have any advice that will help students succeed in the MSD program?

Gemechu: It’s easy to make friends here because everyone is so friendly and having friends helps a lot, so don’t be a loner.  We share knowledge and information, work in teams and study groups, and work together on our assignments, so we really help each other. Even when you graduate and live outside of this environment and work as a software developer, you will always need to have good friends and family.

Here at MIU, everything is so nice and peaceful. Please come and join us.

CA: Tell us what it was like when you were growing up in Ethiopia.

Gemechu: My mother named me “Gemechu,” which means “happy.” Thanks to my name I always feel happy. Even in rough times, I keep a smile on my face and that smile and happiness keep me moving forward. I grew up in Addis Ababa with my mother, two brothers, and 3 sisters. When I was young my father moved to Minnesota where he worked in the Aerospace industry. We talked on the phone but we didn’t see each other for 20 years. I graduated from Mekelle University in 2019, and we reunited when he invited me to Minnesota.

CA: What was your experience when you came to the United States? 

Gemechu: When I saw snow for the first time, I was amazed. In Africa we never saw snow, so the cold weather was a shock at first. I arrived in February, and it was a new country, a new continent, and so cold, but my father helped me get through it. I adapted and now I actually enjoy the cold weather and snow as much as the sunny warm days.

I lived with my father and stepmother in Minnesota for two and half years while working for Amazon as a package delivery driver, but it wasn’t my life goal. I worked hard and adjusted to life in the USA. Then I joined the Master’s in Software Development program (MSD) in February 2022 with the goal of becoming the best possible software developer.

CA: How’s your Transcendental Meditation practice? Are you feeling any benefits?

Gemechu: Transcendental Meditation was a new thing for me. I tried to meditate but at first, I felt distracted. Sometimes I fell asleep but my teacher explained that it’s okay to fall asleep.

After meditating, I feel more balanced and so peaceful. It helps me calm down and it’s not as difficult to study after practicing TM. I can absorb the knowledge and concentrate on the lectures in class and homework at night.

CA: I notice that some students are concerned that meditation might be a conflict with their religion. How do you feel about that?

Gemechu:  At first, I worried that it might be a conflict, but now I don’t worry at all. My professors answered my questions and explained that it’s not about religion, it’s about being in a deeper state of mind. They convinced me that TM does not have a relationship with any religion, so now I meditate twice a day without any worries.

It was such a pleasure to interview MSD student Tsigab Solomon Berhe from Eritrea, whose enthusiasm for life, learning, and education is contagious. This happy guy is always the first to raise his hand in class to discuss or answer questions. And he’s a poet as well! Learn more about Tsigab’s positive approach to life and his dedication to gaining knowledge, which will surely pave his path to success. (And be sure to read his poem at the end of the article).

Interview by Christine Albers (CA)

CA: Tell us about your childhood in Eritrea.

Tsigab: I had a lovely childhood in Eritrea, a beautiful country located in the horn of Africa. I was the first child, with five younger siblings, and we have a fantastic love between us in our family. That love is almost supernatural, second to none.

CA: How did your parents make a living?

Tsigab: My father was a soldier and my mother was a housewife. At some point life became difficult and they had financial and economic problems so my father left the country and found work in Israel. He has worked there for over 10 years so he can send money to the family. One sibling is working in Switzerland, and I am in the U.S., so now we are scattered like seeds all over the world, but we all connect frequently by phone.

CA: What kind of education did you receive in Eritrea?

Tsigab: I was born in a small town where the schooling was not very good and when I was in 8th grade, we moved to Adi-Keih, where I was able to attend a better school. After a while, my parents moved to a different city, and I lived by myself in a town called Senafe to complete Grade 9. There were a lot of highly intelligent students there and I knew I had to study hard to catch up and compete with them. All I needed to do was study.

CA: You were so young. How did you take care of yourself?

Tsigab: My parents sent me boxes of food and recipes on the bus so I could learn to cook for myself.

CA: How long did you live in Adi-Keih and what came next?

Tsigab: I finished grades 10 through 11 in Adi-Keih, and then, according to Eritrean law, I joined a military camp called SAWA where I completed one year of military training which included grade 12. It was my duty, even though life was difficult there because the weather was terrible and we were separated from our families and loved ones. However, the good thing is that it was a youth camp where students came from every corner of the country. We shared many things, such as cultural and traditional perspectives, and that made life a piece of cake.

CA: What did you do after military camp?

Tsigab:  After completing the military camp, I took the matriculation exam. It is tough because it determines what your future will be. Just to make a story short, I got the highest distinction mark of a 4.0 GPA.

I was assigned to Mai-Nefhi college in Asmara, the capital of the country, where I pursued my dream of studying computer science. I hoped to find a job after graduation, but it never happened.

CA: Congratulations on your score! Why was it difficult to find a job in Eritrea?

Tsigab: We cannot study what we want, and cannot find enough computers or internet access, and we cannot find employment after graduating from college. You can’t find a job because there are no channels to continue in your field. These things make life complicated, so a lot of people, including me, leave the country.  I knew that I wouldn’t find work and I wanted to enhance myself and get higher education.

CA: I understand that it is illegal to leave Eritrea. Is that true?

Tsigab: Yes, it is true that we are not allowed to leave the country, so I fled illegally and crossed into Egypt.

CA: Your family must miss you.

Tsigab: My parents miss me and I miss them, but because they are illiterate and uneducated, they want us to understand how lack of education makes life harder. They are too old to think of going back to school now, but they encourage us to keep on studying and achieve a better life, so they are proud that I am pursuing higher education. My parents are legally allowed to travel to Ethiopia or Sudan because they are older, and we hope to meet in the future after I finish my course.

CA: You mentioned that you lived in Egypt after graduating from college.  What were you doing there?

Tsigab: When I arrived in Egypt, I found about 15,000 Eritreans living there.  They left Eritrea while they were in junior high or high school, or were involved in other activities. As a consequence, they had very little education and wanted to study and learn as much as possible. I wanted to help them so I started my own private school and taught computer science and English. Eventually, I chose to come to the United States because I knew it was a land with many opportunities. It seemed like a promised land.

CA: Was it hard to leave your school?

Tsigab: Yes, it was very hard. I wished I could stay and help them but I knew I had to get a higher education level. I agree with Nelson Mandela who said that “education is the only weapon that can change the world.”

CA: Where did you land in the USA?

Tsigab: My point of entry was New York City and I went to Arizona where I have relatives. Then I took a job in California, where I was a dispatcher for a pilot freight company. I took calls from customers and answered emails from different branches throughout the U.S.

CA: How did you hear about the MSD program?

Tsigab: When I came to this country, I wanted higher education, but I had never heard of MIU.  My two relatives in Arizona told me they had graduated from MIU. One of them graduated from ComPro (M.S. in Computer Science) and the other from MSD. They told me that MIU is a nice place and I should go there. I looked at the MSD website and decided it would be a good place for me. My relatives also told me that I would learn Transcendental Meditation at MIU.

CA: What did your relatives say about the Transcendental Meditation technique (TM)?

Tsigab: They said it helped them in school. But meditation is a bit contradictory for us, as we are from the land of religion. We respect our religion, so when we are told to try something else that seems spiritual, we might not accept it until we feel it is okay. When my relatives told me about something called TM, I thought, what is this? I googled it and learned it is not a religion. It is something else. It’s a technique that anyone from any religion can practice and when I came here, I found it was fantastic.

CA: That’s great that you are finding that TM is fantastic. Can you tell how it has benefited you?

Tsigab: TM improves intelligence, creativity, and clear thinking. It’s helping me in school because I’m more energetic, motivated, and encouraged to study. I feel happy and relaxed, and I notice that good things come with that, including better relationships. I was very uptight before I learned TM, but now I’m always happy, and this helps me foster and maintain good relationships and do well in school.

CA: What would you say to prospective MSD students?

Tsigab: I would tell them this is a fantastic university and I have been enjoying everything here. I like the way MIU is designed to help you succeed. The campus is in a rural area, which is a great environment to gain higher education and be productive in your studies. If it was in a big city, it could be a problem with so many distractions.

The meditation helps with your studies and the food is vegetarian, organic, and healthy. Our dorms have exercise equipment,  and there’s a large gym for all the students so we can be physically fit.  We are encouraged to get plenty of rest so we are alert in class. Overall, it’s a healthy environment that helps you learn.

CA: What advice would you give to new students?

Tsigab: I was a good student all my life because I studied extremely hard. So, I would say, when you come to MIU, be prepared to focus and concentrate on your studies. If you are persistent, you can do well. Working hard and staying dedicated is the key. And be open to the university’s approach to education, which is all about helping you achieve success.

WHEN I ARRIVED

by Tsigab Berhe

It was above my expectation

A lovely place of attraction

With great teachers and professors

And the scent of knowledge

It is quite quiet

During the day and night

An amazing environment

And unbelievable place of enhancement

A well-designed system of education

With meditation that keeps your direction

A source of happiness and stillness

That leads to cosmic consciousness

It improves clarity

Increases productivity

For all students of this university

a university with great faculty

Yum, healthy and organic foods

All kinds of vegetables and fruits

Is what this university feeds

With all other healthy amenities

Here in Fairfield

In Iowa, a beautiful land

Where this university is located

Where knowledge is gained.

My Name is Crystal McCay

By Christine Albers

Meet talented musician and upcoming software developer, Crystal McCay, who majored in music at the University of New Orleans and joined the Masters in Software Development (MSD) program with an interest in applying her studies to her background in music.   Crystal aspires to deepen her involvement in more aspects of her musical process, from writing and performing, to recording and sharing her own music. Remember her name – Crystal McCay –  because this artist is going places!

CA: Tell us about your background, Crystal.

Crystal: I was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee and I am part of the first generation of my family to be born in America. Both of my parents and the rest of my family were born in Liberia. My mom arrived in 1986 and my dad in 1991.  My dad earned his degree from Tennessee State University and has had a long and dedicated career as a respiratory therapist. He started the year I was born, so that makes 22 years. My parents met after arriving in the USA, and they were married near Nashville.

CA: Did growing up in Nashville have an influence on your love of music?

Crystal: Actually, the Nashville music scene was not the main influence on my musical journey. Music did not become a central focus in my life until I was 19. However, my high school had an excellent music program that I was fortunate to be part of. Our band director, Dr. Ripani,  got me involved in workshops and opportunities to perform that really expanded my musical foundations and personal growth.  I was a vocalist in our school’s jazz band, and I attended summer programs for vocalists at the Nashville Jazz Workshop. Looking back, I remember experiencing treasured moments of freedom, lightheartedness, and reinvention when I performed those songs. Those moments turned out to be hugely formative.

CA: How have you been involved musically recently?

Crystal:  The Covid pandemic created a pretty big shift in my musical activity. At the start of 2020, I was in a jazz band group, but this was quickly interrupted when Covid derailed society. The jazz band at school became virtual via Zoom, which is not a viable medium to play live with other musicians, so we did other projects instead. However, by the start of the spring 2021 semester, the rock band group was authorized to meet in person with masks. I joined, and this turned out to be a hugely expansive experience where I started to surmount many of the inhibitions I had faced while singing in the jazz band.

CA: Were you interested in pursuing music as a career while in high school?

 Crystal:  My main focus in high school was on science and math. By the time I was a sophomore, I set my sights on pursuing naval architecture and marine engineering, a field of engineering that focuses on ships and seafaring vessels. That was the interest that led me to the University of New Orleans.

CA: So, you started out as an engineering major but changed to music? What caused that change of heart?

Crystal:  After my freshman year of college, in May 2018, I started to practice yoga. This was my first exposure to meditation. As I continued my practice over the next several months, many elements of my life came together for the first time in a striking way, providing the context for an unfolding of a transcendent experience in October.  That’s when I discovered music. Seeing that it should always be a big part of my life, the very next month I applied to be a music major.

CA: So you discovered that music was your calling. How did you end up at MIU studying Computer Science?

 Crystal:  While I was working on my Bachelors in Music, I discovered there are often more layers to musical activities beyond performing itself. I recognized that technology is a powerful tool for sharing and delivering music. I’m interested in exploring the ways that software development intersects with music technology and how that knowledge and background in technology can enhance my ability to be more independent with my creativity.

CA: How do you expect that the Master’s in Software Development will help you reach people musically?

 Crystal: Today, the process of sharing music is largely based on the Internet. Music streaming apps are installed on our phones, and for many people, the computer is the main way to experience music daily. With knowledge of technology, I can reach more people and realize more creative possibilities.  Another area where music software is used is in the production of music recordings, and that is also a way to expand my skill-set as a musician.

CA:  I love the song you wrote, “Transcendence,” during your first course at MIU, “The Science and Technology of Consciousness.” Is this an example of what you hope to do with music and technology?

Crystal:  Transcendence is the first time I produced my own song using recording software, and also my first time writing a complete song from start to finish. I am glad for the song to be what it is, a very first step made by an amateur producer in a dorm room, sharing a personal message. If I do discover interests in working more with this aspect of music technology, then I hope to create more evolved products as I evolve in the art form.

Click to hear Crystal’s original song, “Transcendence”

CA: How did you hear about MIU?

Crystal:  I was familiar with MIU for a long time because I saw Facebook ads for the university while I was still in high school. As someone who was so influenced by yoga and meditation, the fact that these things are important at MIU was one of the main attractions for me.

CA: Are you happy at MIU?

Crystal: There are a lot of things I like about the university.  I am definitely enjoying the block system which allows me to focus on the current course so I can deeply explore and spend time with the work I’m doing and achieve a better understanding. I also appreciate the presence of holistic ideas in this community, and I’m relieved to be in a place where vegetarian options are not auxiliary but are the main servings at meals.

CA: Is there anything you’d like to say to students who are applying for the MSD program?

Crystal:  I’d say it’s a great idea to challenge your cultural comfort zone because there are so many people here from many cultures and there is something to learn from everyone. You can form relationships that you might not have known were possible, so I would recommend being open to all the diversity that is here.

Sirak Tekle came to America from the country of Eritrea in 2015, with a background in electrical engineering. He learned about the Master’s in Software Development (MSD) program from a friend who graduated from the Computer Professionals (ComPro) program in 2016. Let’s see how Sirak is doing as an MSD student, why he tells his friends to come to MIU instead of going to boot camps – and five of his friends are joining the program!

By Christine Albers

CA: How do your parents feel about you joining the MSD program?

Sirak: They are happy and proud of me for coming here for this education. They think it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.

CA: When did you come to the US?

Sirak: I landed in San Jose, California in 2015. It was a bit of a culture shock because it’s so diverse and very different from Eritrea. But now I feel like this country is my home. I was employed by Dish Network, Uber, and AT&T as a technician in San Jose before coming to Iowa.

CA: How did you hear about MIU?

Sirak: My friend Henok, who graduated from the Computer Science (ComPro) program, bugged me for 3 years to take this program. I couldn’t join ComPro because I didn’t have a computer background, but he told me I could take the MSD program without any software development experience. He said, “This Master’s in Software Development is the best deal for people who have a background like us.” It took me three years to decide to come to MIU and when I came, I found it was exactly like he said.

CA: What did Henok love best about MIU?

Sirak:  Henok loved the environment, that it was not a big city, but a quiet town, which is the best environment for students. It’s not a big party school, it’s literally a perfect environment. He also told me that Transcendental Meditation (TM) helped him make good progress in his studies.

CA: Do you agree with Henok?

Sirak: Yes!  I love the campus and the whole Fairfield area. If I find a remote job I’d love to continue to live here.  Fairfield is more like my country, so I feel like I’m back home right now. You don’t have the traffic, it’s not crowded. The city is perfect and amazing, and so quiet. I live downtown next to Jefferson County Courthouse and I particularly like Sundays because they are so quiet.

CA: What do you like best about MIU and the MSD program?

Sirak: I like TM, and the environment, and the curriculum. We study one topic at a time and focus entirely on software development, not bothering to study unnecessary things.  We are learning the skills specific to our career, so by the time we finish the program, we have everything we need to find a job. All we need is a Master’s degree and we can get a job right away.

CA: What benefits do you notice from your TM practice?

Sirak: TM helps me a lot, especially in the morning. It makes my mind more powerful and triggers my energy. I see a lot of differences. I used to get bored easily and after an hour I wanted a break, but once I do my meditation in the morning, I can study for a long time, four or five or even six hours at a time.

CA: Did you consider going to a boot camp?

Sirak: I wouldn’t recommend boot camps. It’s better to come here and join the extended track (18 months). People might save some money at boot camps, but it’s not about the money. It’s about your long-term goals. Students don’t learn enough at the boot camps because it’s impossible to learn that fast. If they know nothing, to begin with, they won’t gain a deep core understanding of the programming language, as we do here at MIU. Here they teach us to think like an engineer, to solve problems on our own, and to understand the core of the study. You cannot become a competent programmer by going to a boot camp.

CA: Do you enjoy software development?

Sirak: When I came here, we were learning new frameworks and new technologies from the top of the market. That’s the best thing about MSD. They only teach you the most up-to-date knowledge and frameworks.

CA: How do you like JavaScript?

Sirak: I love JavaScript. It’s not complicated.  It’s straightforward and grows more popular all the time.  If you go to Google ratings for programming languages it’s at the top rank of any programming language

CA: If someone asked you about the program what would you tell them?

Sirak: I used to think that all schools are the same, but this school not only helps you change your career, it’s also life-changing, and TM is a big part of that. Now I regret that I waited three years. I don’t want my friends and all the people I know to miss this opportunity. I recommended this to five of my friends who are joining next semester and I want to keep convincing my friends to come to MIU and join this program. It will help them get a great career and change their lives for the better.

Sirak completed his courses and graduated from the Masters of Software Development program in August 2021. He is ready to begin a new career as a JavaScript web developer. We wish him the best of luck on his next adventure in the world of IT!