By Carol Anders Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — Ancilla College sophomore Oleg Sckulovic uses the world of computer technology to stay in touch with his family and friends in his native country of Montenegro.
Montenegro is located in southeastern Europe.
Almost nightly from a work table at the Pointe in Plymouth, he is able to speak with his family via a computer connection that enables him to see to whom he is talking.
He also admits he spends a lot of time talking with his girlfriend who is studying in Rome. He uses a microphone to verbally communicate in his native language of Serbian.
Sckulovic first came to the United States as a high school exchange student. His host family, who lives near Kokomo, still welcomes him into their home whenever he has some time off.

He said, “I came as an exchange student because I wanted to experience life in America.”
He said that it was difficult at first to understand the teachers and classmates at Tipton High School, even though he had been studying English since has was in fifth grade.
He said, “One-to-one was okay, but when there was a group like at lunch, I was lost.”
His decision to enroll in Ancilla College was, in part, based on the fact that he could get an education and play basketball in the same school.
Sckulovic said, “Basketball is big in my country, but it is not part of the colleges.” Instead, those who want to play basketball play as a part of a club or turn to professional basketball. He said, “There are not many places in Europe to do both academics and sports.”
Both his father and his brother played basketball at the professional level at one time. His father now owns a real estate business and his mother works with members of her family in a business that handles infrastructure material.
His plans for the future are not set in stone yet, but he plans to use his degrees in Business Administration to perhaps go into international business. He is still wavering on whether to continue his studies in the United States or return to Europe. He works hard to maintain a high grade point average so that he has options as to where he can complete a four-year degree.
He was able to make the 12-hour-plus air flight to his hometown during the winter break.
He said, “I was there for eight days with my family. It was kind of hard to come back, but I had my mind made up on the things I want to pursue.”
Among the things he really misses is his mother’s home cooking.
He said, “My family be-lieves in eating healthy and my mother is really a good cook.”
Sckulovic often fixes his own meals at the Pointe.
He said, “I don’t think I could be this far away from my family without the computer so I can talk to them.”
His first year living at the Pointe was somewhat easier since his roommate also spoke Serbian. Until winter break this semester, he shared a room with two roommates. Jacob Smith from Mount Vernon is one of his teammates. His other roommate decided to return to Australia.
Sckulovic shares his great admiration for his basketball coach, Steve Helm. He said, “The way he coaches is definitely different. He doesn’t yell or even speak loud. I really appreciate everything he does for me.”
Sckulovic added, “He believes in making us better for life. He expects us to behave both on and off the court. I’m grateful for the community work that the coach has us do. I have been able to see things differently.”
He added, “I have never had to struggle in my whole life. It is hard to see those that do not have enough money for basic needs and it made me appreciate things more. Our coach wants us all to succeed first. That’s why he worries about our GPAs and makes us practice three to four hours each day, according to the season.”
Sckulovic said he knew that he would be coming to a small town. He said, “I was informed before I came and I knew I wasn’t going to be in a big city. I think it helped me to be in a smaller environment.”
He is considering moving to a larger community. He said, “I think I would be able to handle it now.”
Local resident Dennis Emmons has known Sckulovic for almost two years years. He said that Sckulovic is exactly the kind of student that can make a difference.
Emmons said, “Oleg makes his home country and his parents proud.” “He is the kind of athlete that his country can appreciate. In this unsure economy, many people are leery of foreign students. Oleg is a great example of one that can contribute to the understanding of the world.”