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John Awad

When John Awad moved from Lebanon to the United States in 1980, he missed his family and it took time to adjust. But there was no culture shock. That's because, he says, Lebanon is unique in the Middle Eastern nations with its westerninzation. It's a very modern country, half Muslim and half Christian, with a high education level, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and a socio-economic structure similar to the United States.

There are differences. The nation is only about 120 miles long and averages 20 miles wide, but is home o 3 or 4 million people. That creates housing problems,and nearly everyone lives in apartments since homes with yards are extremely expensive. There are severe parking problems for those who drive automobiles. And nearly all the businesses are small, family-owned operations, since franchising is uncommon. Taxation is less than in the U.S.

Many Americans have misconceptions about his home country, which he says has no desert, abounds in natrual beauty, and does requires neither air conditioning or heating to be comfortable most of the year.

Lebanon is a former French colony which got its independence in 1943, and saw political strife in the 1970s and 80s during the Palestinian crisis, when John says other Middle Eastern nations "flexed their muscles" against Lebanon, which then had a weak army.

He moved to Columbus in 1990, and says the experience here has been "very positive." "You get the big city without the big city burden," he says, citing the variety of retail businesses and opportunities, along with the city's safety and quietness. As an example, he says his father, a school superintendent in Lebanon, came for a visit. He usually dresses in a three-piece suit and tie, and loves to walk. On a couple of occassions, Columbus police -- thinking the man's car had broken down -- offered him a ride home. John's father accepted, taking the opportunity to communicate and learn about the U.S. "You never saw that kind of caring when I lived in New York City," he says.

When first moving to the U.S., he was uncomfortable talking on the telephone because of language barriers. But English is taught in Lebanese schools, and the country's langugage is both French and Arabic.

A mechanical engineer at Cummins Engine, John has a Ph.D from Clarkson University in New York, is a Roman Catholic and enjoys playing volleyball. He and his wife have three children.