2008 Woodie Awards
Cupid's arrow aims at hearts overseas
Cassie Rodenberg
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: International News
Cupid loses his arrow not only in America but into the hearts of other continents as well.
Over the globe, millions of people spend time fretting over the perfect gift and date itinerary for Valentine's Day, regardless of culture.
"Valentine's Day in Swaziland is celebrated but I don't think the hype is on the same level as it is here in the United States," said Muzi Simelane, junior finance major from Swaziland.
However, in some countries Valentine's Day is just as essential to couples as it is in America.
"In my city, Arequipa [Peru], the young people go to a party and the guys have to invite the girls to go," Elise Portugal, an exchange student from Peru, said. "It's kind of exciting for the young kids,"
Liza Zaytseva, freshman international business major from Russia, agrees that Valentine's Day is a holiday for the young.
"In Russia, just young people love this public holiday," she said. "My parents don't recognize it."
The holiday is hardly public in Nigeria, said Enitan Ogunkoya, sophomore marketing major. She said dating is considered taboo for most young adults, at least until a proposal of marriage.
"They want to imagine that the dating thing never happened," Ogunkoya said. "How are you supposed to find your true love if you can't even talk?"
Whether forbidden or not, dating still occurs, just in a secretive manner.
"What most teenagers do and ironically what the parents did to find each other is to sneak around," Ogunkoya said.
While not forbidden in his home country, Simelane said dating is much more subtle in Swaziland than in the United States.
"Swazis are not as open about expression as they are here in the States," he said. "You normally don't come across couples holding hands and kissing in public."
Gift exchange on Valentine's Day is still a must in a relationship.
"Most Nigerian boys do the usual cheesy Valentine's card and rose," Ogunkoya said. "Then, they step it up by sending you minutes for your phone so you can have a beautiful and long conversation at night."
Many consider the date the telling factor of Valentine's Day's success and the future of the relationship.
"It would be better to take her [the date] to a unique place or one that is somewhat exclusive," Simelane said.
Johanna Ossowicki, exchange student from Sweden, said she would like to eat out with her valentine for the holiday.
"The perfect date for me is a good dinner in a good restaurant with my cute boyfriend," she said.
Participating in this holy day can be crucial to hit the valentine's heart with Cupid's arrow.
"This [celebrating Valentine's Day] sets you apart from other guys and puts you ahead of the game," Simelane said.
Zaytseva and Simelane agree that Valentine's Day should be treated by couples as a special occasion; it only comes once a year.
Over the globe, millions of people spend time fretting over the perfect gift and date itinerary for Valentine's Day, regardless of culture.
"Valentine's Day in Swaziland is celebrated but I don't think the hype is on the same level as it is here in the United States," said Muzi Simelane, junior finance major from Swaziland.
However, in some countries Valentine's Day is just as essential to couples as it is in America.
"In my city, Arequipa [Peru], the young people go to a party and the guys have to invite the girls to go," Elise Portugal, an exchange student from Peru, said. "It's kind of exciting for the young kids,"
Liza Zaytseva, freshman international business major from Russia, agrees that Valentine's Day is a holiday for the young.
"In Russia, just young people love this public holiday," she said. "My parents don't recognize it."
The holiday is hardly public in Nigeria, said Enitan Ogunkoya, sophomore marketing major. She said dating is considered taboo for most young adults, at least until a proposal of marriage.
"They want to imagine that the dating thing never happened," Ogunkoya said. "How are you supposed to find your true love if you can't even talk?"
Whether forbidden or not, dating still occurs, just in a secretive manner.
"What most teenagers do and ironically what the parents did to find each other is to sneak around," Ogunkoya said.
While not forbidden in his home country, Simelane said dating is much more subtle in Swaziland than in the United States.
"Swazis are not as open about expression as they are here in the States," he said. "You normally don't come across couples holding hands and kissing in public."
Gift exchange on Valentine's Day is still a must in a relationship.
"Most Nigerian boys do the usual cheesy Valentine's card and rose," Ogunkoya said. "Then, they step it up by sending you minutes for your phone so you can have a beautiful and long conversation at night."
Many consider the date the telling factor of Valentine's Day's success and the future of the relationship.
"It would be better to take her [the date] to a unique place or one that is somewhat exclusive," Simelane said.
Johanna Ossowicki, exchange student from Sweden, said she would like to eat out with her valentine for the holiday.
"The perfect date for me is a good dinner in a good restaurant with my cute boyfriend," she said.
Participating in this holy day can be crucial to hit the valentine's heart with Cupid's arrow.
"This [celebrating Valentine's Day] sets you apart from other guys and puts you ahead of the game," Simelane said.
Zaytseva and Simelane agree that Valentine's Day should be treated by couples as a special occasion; it only comes once a year.
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