Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Kosrae Upward Bound Students Visit Vice President Falcam

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): November 12,
1997 – Students from the Upward Bound Program in Kosrae paid a
courtesy call on the Vice President yesterday, November 11, at the
President’s Cabinet Room.

The students are here for a week on a familiarization trip to the
College of Micronesia-FSM and Pohnpei as well. They visited the Vice
President to familiarize themselves with the work the government does
in Palikir.

Vice President Leo A. Falcam asked the students what they wanted
to be someday when they finish their education. There were responses
such as accountants, engineers, pilots, etc. He told them they can be
what they want to be, not depending on their grades but it has to
come from their heart.

Falcam told them about working for the government that if one
wanted to get rich they should not work for the government, but to
work for private sector and if they work for government and become
rich, “[…] then something is very wrong.”

In orienting the students with college life and government work,
he told them of his experiences from being a student to working for
the government. He recommended the students also talk to other people
they know who have gone to college in order to know what to expect.

Falcam in encouraging the students in their education, told them
to have fun too, “[…] you have to like what you are learning in
school and also when working, to like what you are doing in order to
be successful.”

Questions from the students included asking the Vice President how
long he has been in government. When asked if being a politician is
difficult, the Vice President responded, “[…] yes there are
difficulties too,” and he continued by explaining the difficulties.

The Vice President presented to the students two framed photos of
him and the President. he encouraged the students to go out and get
their education and come back to work adding, that there is a great
need for doctors, engineers and of course local lawyers.

The students are staying in COM-FSM dormitories, observing classes
and other programs at COM-FSM, as well as introducing themselves to
college life. They are seniors from high schools in Kosrae
participating in the federally funded Upward Bound Program. The
program is located and administered under the COM-FSM campuses in the
states of Chuuk and Kosrae, according to Joe Habuchmai, Director of
Academic Programs at COM-FSM.