Traveling from Cambodia to Beloit: My college arrival story
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August 6th, 2021 was an unforgettable moment in my life. It was my first time leaving Cambodia. I couldn’t believe that I was leaving until I heard the sound of the plane taking off. It seems like just yesterday when I said goodbye to my parents and sisters at the airport. Traveling during the Covid-19 pandemic made me emotionally and physically overwhelmed, but luckily I had two other SHE-CAN scholars, Sokvy and Wuthikah, who accompanied me along the way to the U.S.
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Although I had to leave some of my family, after setting foot in the U.S I was delighted to meet some other members of my family. I was super excited to see my Uncle in person for the first time since he migrated here 30 years ago. He and my cousin came with a flower to welcome me at the Los Angeles airport.
During my three-day stay with my uncle to recover from jet lag, I had an opportunity to meet my mentor, Chantal. She brought me to Manhattan Beach where I had tacos for the first time in my life. We walked barefoot on the beach, cherishing the soft grit of golden sand. Later, Chantal brought me to her house and hosted me for a delicious dinner. Chantal was the first mentor I met here but the warm welcome from her family made me feel like I was in my own home.
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Afterwards, I moved to stay with another mentor, Kim, in San Diego. There I was amazed by the panoramic view of San Diego downtown. Kim and I walked around several parks, rivers, and neighborhoods. With Kim, I had a single fantastic evening before I headed to Chicago and Beloit College.
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Next was the trip to Chicago, where I met with my lead mentor Paula. She had arranged to make the trip to Chicago an amazing journey. Chicago is a phenomenal city. Paula and I had a blast exploring different places in Chicago. We even tried the popular dish deep-dish pizza in the evening. Paula has assisted me a lot in my journey. She helped me shop for my dorm supplies, while telling me about American culture and giving tours that got me more familiar with the new living environment.
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Time goes really fast. Looking back, I’d have never imagined the first half of my semester to go as smoothly as it did. I was excited but anxious to start my semester, knowing I’d be facing challenges like language barriers and homesickness. Fortunately, I have very strong supporting groups on and off-campus. Off-campus, I have my mentors, family, and SHE-CAN staff that check in with me to make sure that I’m doing well in my academic and personal life. On-campus, I have my SHE-CAN sisters who always support and give me good advice which is helpful to cope with challenges I face here.