Tag Archives: first generation

Dustin Wagner

Dustin Wagner

MAJOR: Anthropology

PROGRAM: FLP – Nevis Archaeology Field School, Nevis & St. Kitts

EMAIL: dustin.wagner@sjsu.edu

BIO: I am a student in the SJSU online Applied Anthropology program. Attending a field school is a requirement for becoming a working archaeologist. I was fortunate to find that experience offered through Study Abroad under the direction of Dr. Marco Meniketti. Dr. Meniketti is an expert in his field, and the one-on-one teaching he provides is top-notch. It was a no-brainer to choose the Faculty-Led program. Being in Nevis and St. Kitts allowed the team to practice all aspects of anthropology, from interaction with local stakeholders to helping with cultural resource management of degrading features. The locals of Nevis were happy to oblige us to participate in all aspects of island life due to the respect Dr. Meniketti has cultivated over 25 field seasons. It was a lifelong dream to practice archaeology in a foreign country, and this program fulfilled my dream while opening opportunities to become a working archaeologist.

LEADER, VOLUNTEER, OR JOB EXPERIENCES: Telecare Corporation:

Collection and transportation of medical hazardous waste, sharps and pharmacological waste from government, non-profit and private clinics across four counties to disposal sites. Collection and transportation of medical hazardous waste, sharps and pharmacological waste from government, non-profit and private clinics across four counties to disposal sites.

R&D Transportation Services, Inc:

Empowered people with developmental disabilities to use the public transportation. Provided job coaching by shadowing clients at their place of employment and at day programs, Collaborated with teachers at the ARC facilities for best training practices and insights. Empowered people with developmental disabilities to use the public transportation. Provided job coaching by shadowing clients at their place of employment and at day programs, Collaborated with teachers at the ARC facilities for best training practices and insights.

Secorp Industries:

Off-Shore oil platform Hermosa. I am the sole medical provider and Helicopter dispatcher at sea. I am responsible for all egress and survival gear, including closed air supply and lifeboat maintenance. Off-Shore oil platform Hermosa. I am the sole medical provider and Helicopter dispatcher at sea. I am responsible for all egress and survival gear, including closed air supply and lifeboat maintenance.

GOALS: My personal goal was to test myself physically, mentally and emotionally as to if Archaeology is the right fit as a career. The Nevis field school pushed me in a positive direction and has motivated me to go further in my education.

ACADEMICS: Our days were packed with lessons and real-world experiences specific to archaeology and anthropology. I woke up every day ready to work and learn while bringing a positive attitude to every new experience. Field notes were a must and were turned in to the director for the ongoing research in the area. I was able to work side by side with more experienced graduate students and received their backing to become a graduate student as well. After this experience, I am more motivated to apply to graduate schools, including SJSU.

Ready to work! Carrying tools to the Bath house dig site on Nevis.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: We rode local transportation, stayed in a Nevisian local’s home, and ate lunches at local eateries. During downtime, we relaxed in areas where the locals relaxed. We saw that every place in the world has its unique culture and aspirations. The main bus station had the same people one would find in the U.S. or Japan. Most were traveling, with some trying to separate you from your money. This left an impression on me as far as pondering the same economic divides that happen in the U.S. is apparent in a nation that is celebrating 50 years of statehood.

CAREER: We were taught all aspects of practicing archaeology by modern standards. We performed site surveys and artifact collection. We dug into our assigned units and were responsible for conducting a scientific inquiry into our findings. We processed artifacts and wrote field report notes daily. At the end of our work we properly repatriated the artifacts of lesser interest to the Nevis Legacy Heritage Association.

PERSONAL GROWTH: As a combat veteran with disabilities, I always worry about my capabilities as a professional. Will I work well with others? Can I physically perform the task, or will my medicines interfere with my abilities? Attending the field school and pushing myself out of my comfort zone allowed me to attain a lifelong dream. It has shown me that I have a place in the career field and can still accomplish tasks that help our fellow human beings.

IDENTITIES:I can be productive and attain goals.

By completing my education, I have not only started to attain my dreams but am also fulfilling the dreams of my grandparents and parents.

Veteran Status as It has shown me that I can overcome and work through the challenges of being a veteran.

FUTURE: This program has given me real-world experiences and a professional network. Nevis is a location I would like to continue working at. I was able to practice mobile scanning and plan to record more sites on the island nation in the future for a graduate school project.

TIPS: I recommend researching everything there is to know about the location and program directors’ research. This will make the experiences feel better as an informed student and less of a culture shock. It will also give you personal goals for what types of experiences you want to participate in.

Ashley Sosa

Ashley Sosa

MAJOR: Biological Sciences/Molecular Biology

PROGRAM: SSA – Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea

EMAIL: ashley.sosa@sjsu.edu

BIO: Hey! My name is Ashley Sosa and I’m a third year majoring in molecular biology. I am both a first-generation college student and a first-generation American. I’ve always had a strong interest in other languages and cultures, which contributed to my desire to study abroad. I wanted to experience life in another country. However, due to my major and other reasons, most semester-long programs weren’t an option for me. I was so happy to find a program in South Korea (a country I already wanted to visit) that worked with my schedule and allowed me to study a language I’m interested in. It was an incredible and highly enlightening experience! I did and saw quite a bit, and yet there’s still so much I would like to go back and do someday.

LEADER, VOLUNTEER, OR JOB EXPERIENCES: I’ve volunteered as a tutor and written for a magazine. At one point I also ran a small online business.

GOALS: One goal I set for myself before studying abroad was to explore as much of Seoul as possible, along with other cities such as Busan. I wanted to learn more about Korean culture and do well in my class. I wanted to make some new friends, but I also wanted to be more comfortable with going out and exploring on my own. Another personal and professional goal I set for myself was to be able to hold a basic conversation in Korean by the end of the summer. I believe I accomplished all of these.

ACADEMICS: I took a beginner Korean language course. There were around 20 students in the class, and the instructor was a native Korean. Most of the grade was based on the final exam. To ensure my academic success I attended all classes on time, participated in class activities and group work, reviewed my notes after most classes, and studied with friends. While studying Korean I noticed some similarities between Korean and Japanese (which I’m currently studying at SJSU). These similarities have helped me make connections between the two languages as well as better remember vocabulary and grammar structures.

At the Namsan Tower

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Through SKKU I was able to participate in various highly insightful cultural activities, including exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace, looking for clams in Incheon, visiting the National Museum of Korea, participating in a K-pop dance class, and attending The Painters show. On my own and with friends, I explored various areas of Seoul and some of Busan. One of my favorite activities we did was going to a noraebang (karaoke) and singing together as a group. I also tried various Korean foods, such as bibimbap, and made an effort to speak Korean whenever I could. Being immersed in Korean culture helped me have a much better understanding of the culture and language overall. One of the things that stood out to me the most and gave me a new perspective was safety in South Korea. There’s obviously still crime and you should still be careful, but it was really interesting to see how people often left their belongings alone at times. I also met students from all over the world, and my fellow classmates helped further broaden my worldview and teach me more about other cultures.

CAREER: One skill I sharpened during the program was respectfully interacting with others and respecting their cultures (both Korean and others). A second skill I strengthened was reaching out to people and making new friends more easily. I interacted with a large number of new people throughout the program, and I soon learned how to quickly introduce myself. This has been very helpful now that a new semester has started, such as when meeting new classmates or reaching out to different graduate schools for more information. I know I will continue to use this in my future career. I also learned how to better adapt to unexpected situations and travel on my own. Time management and finding a balance between studying, hanging out with friends, and exploring the city is yet another skill I was able to improve that I think will be very useful during the rest of my time at SJSU and beyond.

PERSONAL GROWTH:  think one of the biggest impacts this trip had on me was increased confidence that I can travel and navigate life in a foreign city on my own. This was my first solo trip ever, and the fact that it was an international trip to a country across the world made me even more nervous. When I was first accepted into the program, I actually questioned if I should even go. I’m so glad I did because it was such an amazing experience and I was able to grow so much. At the start of my trip, I was anxious about public transportation – where to take buses and subways, how to pay for them, where to get off, how to reload my T-money card, and so on. But by the time I left South Korea I felt really comfortable commuting around Seoul by both bus and subway. I think the other big impact studying abroad had on me was in terms of how much I interacted with new people. Before going abroad I usually preferred to keep to myself, but throughout the program I talked to and hung out with so many more people than I ever would have at home. Playing cards with some of the other students in the dorms quickly became one of my favorite activities to do at night.

IDENTITIES: Each of my identities affected my study abroad experience differently. As a young woman, I feel like I always have to be extra careful when I’m out. This was still true in South Korea and I was still cautious, but overall I felt very comfortable exploring unfamiliar areas and walking around late at night (both in small groups and on my own). As someone who is visibly not Korean, before studying abroad I already expected to stand out. While walking around Seoul I would sometimes notice people staring at me. But as I became more familiar with Seoul and more accustomed to people staring at me, this bothered me less. So while it didn’t become less visible to others, in a way, it felt less visible to me. And although I’m queer, people rarely realize unless I tell them directly – therefore, it didn’t impact the way strangers interacted with me. However, it did help me connect with many students in the program. It was nice to meet so many queer people from all around the world.

FUTURE: I believe I’m better prepared to understand and respectfully interact with people from all cultures, which is something I’ll be doing on a daily basis in my intended career. Increased confidence in myself and experience interacting with new people more frequently will also help me as I apply to different graduate schools and jobs. My ability to navigate unfamiliar and unexpected situations, as well as live in an unfamiliar city, will help me if I relocate in the future.

TIPS: Talk to people, particularly other international students! Most are friendly and want to make new friends. Speak the language as much as possible, even if you only know a few words or phrases. In my experience, most locals greatly appreciate it. Explore the country as much as possible – if you can, visit cities or countries other than the one you’re studying in. Some professors might be able / willing to recommend places to visit. I also recommend keeping a travel journal of some sort and/or documenting your trip as much as possible with photos and videos – it’s something nice to look back on once you return home. If you plan on doing Summer School Abroad at SKKU, I highly recommend doing the pre-session if you are able. It allows you to form closer bonds with some of the international students, participate in more cultural activities, and stay in South Korea for longer. And no matter what country or program you choose, enjoy your time there!

Janet Garcia Borbon

Janet Garcia Borbon

 

Congratulations to Janet Garcia Borbon who graduated in December with more than just a degree in kinesiology.  She is a first-generation college graduate, a DACA recipient, the #1 ranked Muay Thai fighter in the United States, and a study abroad alumnae of the business-focused faculty-led program in Germany in summer 2022. Prior to leaving for Germany for her study abroad experience, Janet represented the United States at the World Games in Alabama earning a bronze medal.

What’s your story?

Hi, my name is Janet Garcia Borbon. As a first-generation graduate and DACA recipient, I am proud to have achieved so much in my life. I am proud to have achieved so much in my life. Born in Mexico, I have called San Jose, California my home since I was nine years old. In addition to my academic pursuits, I am also a skilled Muay Thai fighter and currently hold the #1 rank in the 48 kg weight class in the USA. Recently, I had the privilege of representing the USA at the World Games and brought home a bronze medal. I am grateful for all of the opportunities that have come my way and am excited to see what the future holds.

Why did you want to study abroad? 

I have always been fascinated by the idea of studying abroad and experiencing life in a different part of the world. Growing up, I never had the opportunity to travel outside of my home continent and this seemed like the perfect chance for me to step out of my comfort zone and explore a new culture. I am eager to see how people in other parts of the world live and experience life, and I believe that studying abroad will be a valuable and enriching opportunity for me.

What was your experience abroad in Germany?

My experience in Germany has been wonderful. I have had the opportunity to learn about a new culture and meet a diverse group of people. I have gained valuable insights into how business is conducted in Germany and how people view the world. I have also had the chance to try new and delicious foods and engage in meaningful conversations with locals. While the Germans may not be as outwardly friendly as Americans, they are extremely helpful and willing to assist whenever needed. Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Germany and would love the chance to return in the future.

What is The World Games? 

The World Games are an international multi-sport event comprising sports and sporting disciplines that are not contested in the Olympic Games. They are usually held every four years, one year after a Summer Olympic Games, over the course of 11 days.

About 3,600 elite athletes from over 100 countries compete for gold in more than 30 of the fastest growing sports in the world. The first ever World Games took place in 1981 in Santa Clara, CA.

Tell us about your journey and experience at The World Games?  

My journey to the World Games began five years ago when I learned that my sport, Muay Thai, would be included in the games. I made the decision then and there that I would do whatever it took to represent the United States in the World Games. It was fortuitous that the next World Games would be held in Birmingham, Alabama. I spoke with my coach and told him that I wanted to be the best in the country. We worked hard for the next five years, competing against fighters from all over the country and climbing the ranks. Eventually, I won the USA qualifiers, securing my spot on the team and my #1 rank in the USA.

When I arrived at the Games, it was like a dream come true. I had worked so hard for this moment and it was finally here. I took in every moment, making sure to be present and savor the experience. The highlight of the tournament for me was when they called out “Representing the United States of America” and my name. That was when it all hit me: an immigrant child representing the USA. I never thought I would get the opportunity to hear those words and I was overwhelmed with joy. I wanted to cry, smile, and hug my mom to tell her that we had done it. But I had to put on a good poker face and get to work. As I entered the ring, I put all my feelings aside and fought with all my heart. After winning my first match, the crowd started cheering again, “USA! USA!” and all those emotions came rushing back. I hugged my coach and tears rolled down my cheeks.

Although I didn’t win the gold, earning a bronze medal was still a huge accomplishment for me. It was one of the best times of my life and I will always hold that moment dear to my heart.

What does it mean for you as a Spartan to be selected to represent the US in The World Games?

This experience has shown me that anything is possible if I set my mind to it. Being both a student and a top athlete can be challenging, but I have had great professors and counselors who have helped me along the way. Whenever I needed help from my teachers, they were always willing to provide it. They recognized the demands of my athletic career and did their best to help me balance my schoolwork. This has taught me that with determination and support, I can achieve anything.”

Any advice to Spartans?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! There are many resources available to make your college experience easier. I wish I had known this when I first started college, but now you do. Talk to your professors or counselors for guidance and they will point you in the right direction. Remember, you don’t have to go through this journey alone.

NOTE from the Study Abroad & Away office:

If you wish to support future DACA students to take advantage of our global experiences at SJSU, please consider donating to the Dr. Ruth Huard Study Abroad Scholarship which aims to help fund DACA students with their Advance Parole process.