The desire to help Pakistan recover from the devastating 2005 earthquake came as second nature to CSULB alumnus Colin Rasmussen, who spent his entire childhood there as the son of parents who work for non-governmental aid agencies.
A 2005 graduate with dual B.A. degrees in international studies and Asian studies, Rasmussen now is working as an earthquake reconstruction program specialist in Pakistan with the United States Agency for International Development. After the quake struck, he initially joined Save the Children to work on relief efforts with the organization's operations in the Allai Valley and later in a camp for displaced peoples, both in the far north of the North West Frontier Province.
"I spent over 6 months in the area," he said. "The projects I monitored included the building of small dirt and stone access roads that would help villagers commute between their homes and the main highway that linked to towns. The work served to engage the men in the camp throughout the winter months so that they would be occupied and had the opportunity to earn income to support their families."
Rasmussen's international experience extends beyond Pakistan. While at CSULB, he received a National Security Education Program Boren Scholarship and spent 2003-04 studying and working on community service projects in India, then taught English in Vietnam.
"For someone interested in international relations Pakistan is a fascinating place to live these days. I plan to stick around for sometime yet," he said.
