Discovering Santa Rosa Junior College: Thu Mya San Aung's Story
From Myanmar to California: A Journey of Growth
Why did you decide to study in the USA?
Studying abroad has always been my dream since I was a child. Learning English from movies and songs has motivated me to study especially in English-speaking countries. The United States became my choice not only for obtaining a degree but also for the experiences and personal growth, since it can provide the best education globally and aligns with my preferences.
Why did you choose this particular college or university?
I heard about Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) from one of my friends and after checking out the website and reviews, I knew it could help me achieve my dream. Since arriving on campus and interacting with the staff and students, the support and resources have exceeded my expectations. The campus is beautiful and spacious, with plenty of areas for studying both indoors and outdoors. There are dormitory and housing options available. Additionally, the campus provides weekly food options and excellent health services.
What do you like best about your program or university?
There are plenty of reasons that I like about SRJC, especially how much they prioritize students. They offer various classes at different times at the Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses. If you're struggling with your classes, they have a tutorial center for free tutoring, both online and drop-in, for writing and STEM classes. Additionally, there are plenty of clubs to join, allowing you to network and socialize with peers who share similar backgrounds and interests. SRJC has solutions for almost every question, and help is always available; you just ask for it.
What do you miss most about home?
Food plays a significant role in my home country, and it's not just the cuisine that I miss; I also long for the Burmese-speaking environment. I miss being able to effortlessly communicate in my mother tongue, without the need to pause or search for words to express my feelings and convey my ideas in classes, with friends, and while working on group projects.
What was your biggest surprise about U.S. life and education?
The biggest surprise about life in the U.S. is that people usually don't take off their shoes indoors. I had heard about this, but in my country, it's customary to remove our shoes before entering a house, with designated areas for them in most households. When I visited a house in the U.S, I noticed this difference, maybe because the streets here are cleaner. In terms of education, in my country, we were taught to memorize nearly all the information provided by the teacher, and tests and exams were primarily based on memorization. However, most of my classes here allow for tests in multiple-choice questions, quizzes, and short answers which we can express in our own words as long as the content is correct. This format makes tests much easier than in my country, where we had to write lengthy passages for each question based on what we remembered.
What was your biggest disappointment?
Tipping culture is a significant aspect of American daily life. It varies depending on the restaurant or shop, but most restaurants in the U.S. allow tipping. After reading some articles and opinions on the matter, I've learned that the tipping system is designed to enhance employee performance. However, in my opinion, staff shouldn't only be friendly and attentive just to get more tips. I think they should treat the customers and provide the needs and assistance equally to all the patrons, as they are assigned to do during their work hours.
How have you handled language differences?
Having the dictionary app ready in my hand helps me a lot when communicating with friends and others. It’s easy to show them what I wanted to say and convenient for me to look up something when I don’t understand a topic they’re discussing. It's not just about new words; it's also about the subjects they're discussing. In classes, I usually inform the professors in advance if I intend to use electronic dictionaries. However, most of the time, new terms and words are explained throughout the classroom.
How have you handled finances?
My parents are my main sponsors in funding my education. They work hard to provide me to study and live here as needed. They also support me not only financially but also emotionally. Free Wi-Fi available on campus and at the dorms allows me to video chat with my family and friends whenever I need to. Additionally, SRJC offers numerous scholarships for tuition fees and housing for F-1 students, and California State provides scholarship opportunities seasonally. There are always ways to assist with financial hardships; we can discuss them with our counselors, advisors, and there is a Financial Aid department designed to help students with financial difficulties.
How have you handled adjusting to a different educational system?
It is surprising that we can bring our phones and laptops to class, and sometimes professors even allow the use of laptops for note taking. Additionally, you can discreetly step out of the classroom if you need to use your phone urgently for personal reasons. I also believe this flexibility is due to it being in a college. During my high school in my country, electronic devices were not allowed. However, here, most assignments are completed electronically, and fortunately, tutors from tutorial centers at the SRJC are available to assist with any help needed to complete assignments and homework.
What are your activities?
As soon as I started here at the SRJC, I joined the SRJC International Student Club. By attending the ISP (International Student Program) club meetings, I've had the opportunity to meet students from around the world and learn more about the schools and the environment. We often go on field trips, participate in various activities, and share our experiences while hearing stories from others. SRJC also offers a friendly family dinner program where you can meet an American family, who are eager to listen to your story and get to know you. Forms will be distributed on Welcome Day for those interested in participating in these enjoyable dinners with American families. I get to know more about the culture and have delicious foods from these families every semester.
How easy or difficult is making friends in the USA?
People are diverse all around the world. In my experience, making friends is easier when you share similar interests and hobbies. It can be a little tricky to make friends with someone who loves Ice-skating and someone from a tropical country where does not snow. But it is easy to make friends in classes especially when you have a group project together. It is exciting to meet new friends every semester from having in-person classes and joining clubs.
What are your career goals? How is your U.S. education relevant to your personal goals and to the needs of your country?
At first, I wasn't quite sure about my major and career path, but after spending two semesters at the SRJC and attending counseling classes, I began to realize my passion for the field of social work. The counselors at SRJC help me with my class schedules and educational goals. The U.S. offers numerous social work programs, and studying here enables me to work part-time on campus while encouraging me to volunteer and pursue un-paid internship opportunities relevant to my major and interests. By gaining experience working with a diverse range of people here, I can contribute what I've learned and how the U.S. education system was set up for everyone to access and contribute to. I can also bring back the good habits, practices, and systems I've acquired here as a student and as a part-time employee which can be well-adjusted to fit my country's culture and traditions.
What is your advice to other students from your country who are considering a U.S. education?
Be ready to adapt to a new environment both physically and mentally. It's completely fine not to know what to do, but don’t hesitate to ask even if it's a small question. Find a community where you can get help; SRJC offers student resources, clubs, and programs that can answer your questions. The ISP provides student mentors who will assist you with anything to help you feel welcomed and connected with the community. It's okay to feel afraid; you just need to do it anyway, and there are always ways to help you navigate through a whole new system, just look for it.