Foreign students join bass fishing club for angling trip
Central Michigan University student Yong Jing Ng from Singapore, Asia holds up a bass fish he caught during a fishing competition in Gladwin, Michigan on Sunday, Sept. 26.
Jobin Varghese has never been fishing in his native country, but finally had the chance to do so and it was a moment he'll never forget.
The 18-year-old Central Michigan University freshman international student from Pune, India joined the Central Michigan Bass Fishing Club for a competition that allowed international students to fish for the first time.
Varghese said the event gave him a chance to escape reality for a little while.
“I always wanted to go fishing but never got the opportunity,” he said. “It offered a break from my busy schedule. I felt really nice and peaceful by the end of it.”
Foreign exchange students Terrance Ng and Yong Jing Ng from Singapore, Asia were also in attendance for the bass fishing tournament at Lake Lancer in Gladwin, Michigan on Sunday, Sept. 26. This was the second consecutive year the club has held the event.
Each international student caught a fish, with the biggest going to Varghese, who caught one that weighed 2.55 pounds.
Jing Ng said he would cherish the moment of catching his first-ever fish.
“The bass fishing tournament was a real eye opener for me as this is my first time taking a boat onto a lake and fishing," he said. "It is a unique experience as these opportunities are hard to find in my country.”
Brandon Carman, CMU bass fishing club president, helped put the event together. The tournament raised $300 for a profit after cost.
“It was great. We were able to take students who had little or no experience fishing and every one of them caught a fish and had a great time,” Carman said.
Marshall junior and club member John Dorosh said sharing the experience and memories with foreign exchange and international students was a big part of the event.
“It was really neat to have an opportunity to experience not only fishing but being in the outdoors with someone who hasn't had much of a chance to do so,” Dorosh said. “I think they will remember the sights they saw throughout the day and not only the fish they caught but also how fast the boat went.”
Chelsea junior and club member Ryan Knight, 20, said he felt the fishing tournament was a rewarding outcome for him and the foreign exchange and international students.
“It’s always humbling to be on the water and compete in the sport of fishing but this one was a little different,” Knight said. “It was more rewarding for me to see them (foreign exchange/international students) catch a fish because they displayed pure excitement on their faces that was passed onto us.”
