Rebeca Muntu is a 21 year-old  international student majoring in Human Services. When she first arrived at Southern Maine Community College the biggest challenge she faced was not the language barrier but adjusting to a new academic system and a new environment. She has persevered and developed as a human being and a full time student. “I came here not just to get a degree but to grow as a person,” said Rebeca. The Beacon sat down with her to learn more about her journey.

Where are you from? 

I am from Angola but I moved to the USA when I was 18 years old. 

What is your major and what year are you ? 

My major is Human Service and I am in my first year. 

What challenges did you face during your first semester and how did you overcome them? 

I faced several challenges, firstly the language barrier which made me afraid to participate in classroom discussion, comprehending my assignments, and even interacting with my classmates. Secondly, back home the professors expect you to memorize textbooks, however here the professors expect you to think critically, make research and group discussion. I was able to overcome those challenges by seeking assistance in the campus resources such as going to the writing center, meeting with tutors and I learnt a lesson that in college it is important to speak up about your struggles in order to get help because everyone is independent. 

What do you enjoy the most about studying on the SMCC campus? 

Firstly, I enjoy the free-tuition because it helps many students with no income to have the opportunity to study. Secondly, most professors are friendly and approachable. My favorite study area is in the library because people are very respectful and considerate of each other. There are so many places to hangout and my favorite place is at the beach, it boosts my humor on days that I feel overwhelmed with schoolwork. 

What are you most proud of academically so far? 

In the beginning, my grades were not as high as I wished because I was in the process of adapting to new materials and also each professor had their own expectations, but I made use of the support offered in the campus resources, like tutors and explored the books available in the library. This led to an improvement on my grades and made me feel more able to complete any tasks. 

If you would like to give advice to a new student starting out, what would you say? 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions because people are usually happy to help you. Find the best support system that suits you, meaning that building connections can make it easy to achieve a certain goal. Joining the campus events can help in discovering new resources and can make feel more comfortable with the school community. And lastly, be patient with yourself because you are not figuring out everything in one day, learning from mistakes and celebrating each win will motivate you to continue fighting.