Riya’s Year of Transformation
Celebrating my first birthday in the U.S.
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If I was asked, “How was your 2019?” my answer would be that it was a year full of changes, challenges and first experiences. In short, 2019 was a year of transformation for me because my dream of coming to study in the U.S. came true and my life hasn’t been the same since.
It all started back on December 16, 2018 when my lead mentor, Terri Garnick, sent me an email saying that she received a package from Gettysburg College. I remember exactly how excited I felt when Terri read my acceptance letter during our Skype call. The joy, pride and excitement my mentor team, family, friends and I shared on that day are still vivid in my mind. From that day on, I started counting down the days until I left for college. |
I could not wait to finally start my new journey here at Gettysburg. I was so excited that I even set the Glatfelter building (my favorite building at Gettysburg both then and now) as my computer’s wallpaper. After about 8 months of waiting, I finally arrived here in the U.S. I still remember how special I felt when I first saw two of my mentors, Riva Nelson and Nancy Symonds, along with other SHE-CAN mentors and staff, excitedly waiting for me and Kimseang at SFO with welcoming banners and bouquets of flowers.
Me and Seang’s arrival in San Francisco
My first two weeks in the U.S. were spent with my mentor team, their families and their friends in the San Francisco Bay Area. I got to experience so many things for the first time, such as having a birthday picnic celebration with live jazz music, going to the symphony, watching a baseball game, and many more activities. My mentors, Riva and Maggie, also helped me shop for dorm supplies while I was in San Francisco. Before heading to Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, we all had an amazing dinner together at Nancy’s house. That was the first time I met all of my mentors in person after communicating with them online for about a year. It is amazing how connected I’ve felt to them since the first time we met.
Shopping at Bed Bath & Beyond before moving into my dorm
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Dinner with my mentors (from left: Riva, Maggie, me, Terri, Andrew and Nancy)
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My mentor, Riva, flew with me from San Francisco to Gettysburg and helped me get settled in. I figured out my way around campus really fast with the help from Nich, my SHE-CAN big sister. I also have two other SHE-CAN sisters at Gettysburg, Irene and Vuochnear, whom I can reach out to for advice and support. From the first day that I officially became a Gettysburgian, I have been committed to getting involved and making the best use of the opportunities I have here at school. During my first semester, I explored and got involved in numerous clubs and organizations. I am a member of the International Gettysburgian Network. I also have been working as a circulation desk student assistant at the library.
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With my SHE-CAN big sister Nich when I first arrived at Gettysburg
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Most importantly, I am on the President Advisory Group for Inclusion and Belonging. In this role, I have the privilege of attending regular meetings with the president and deans of Gettysburg College to help orient them to the life and experiences of underrepresented group on campus, especially international students.
My first day as a Gettysburgian, pictured with all of the international students in my class
Last winter break, I got to come back to the Bay Area to visit my mentors. I had so much fun celebrating my first Christmas with my lead mentor, Terri, and her family. It was also so nice to spend some time with my four other mentors: Riva, Nancy, Maggie and Andrew. It is amazing how I feel like I am coming home every time I come to San Francisco. I believe that is because all my mentors in SF have made me like I have home away from home there.
Sledding on the sand dunes with the CPS group in Texas!
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The last week of the winter break, I, along with my SHE-CAN sister Vuochnear, went on an immersion trip with Gettysburg’s Center for Public Service to El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico to learn about immigration on the US-Mexico border. We learned about the legal aspects of immigration and we also learned a lot about cultures and traditions at the south of the border. We even learned how to make gorditas and tacos!
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Recently, I got the chance to represent Gettysburg College at the National Student Leadership and Diversity Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. I met with other students from different colleges to discuss about what we can do to improve diversity and inclusion on a campus environment. I also got to experience the beginnings of the Mardi Gras festivities. This semester, I am rushing a national co-ed service fraternity on campus, Alpha Phi Omega (APO), because I have always been passionate about service and I want to get to know more people and expand my social network.
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At the National Student Leadership and Diversity Conference in New Orleans
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Looking back on the past year, a lot of things have happened in my life. I have experienced so many changes and first experiences. I have done so many things that I myself never thought I would be able to do. Everything would not have happened without the incredible support from my mentor team, SHE-CAN, and my family and friends back home in Cambodia. I have learned and grown a lot this past year and I am looking forward to what I am going to learn and experience during the rest of my academic journey here at Gettysburg.
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