Introduction

Surrounded by my friends and family members, food, and college, my life is a blessing. At 20 years old, life can be very challenging for a college student. Maintaining a certain grade point average to keep a scholarship, fulfilling self-goals,and keeping my parents happy, college can be difficult. But with the right people there supporting me, I can get through college easier than expected. When I first started college, I did not socialize. After class, I would go back to my room until I discovered the International Student Association on campus. I loved meeting international and non-international students so much, I became an active member.

Every weekend, I would go home to see my family. One Sunday night, I was unpacking my clothes in my dorm until I got a phone call from my cousin, Sam. I was happy he called until he told me the news. He asked if I heard what happened yet. I told him no, and he said that our grandpa had passed away earlier that day. He just got back from Canada, and after dinner at Uncle Cai's house, he went upstairs to check his blood pressure, and before he got to it, that was it. I immediately broke down in tears! Even writing this brings tears to my eyes. After I got off the phone, I saw that I had a text message from my friend, Tiffani, telling me to go to her room. She lived on the same floor as I did. I told her I couldn't go to her room. She asked why, and I told her that my grandpa just passed away. She instantly came to my room to comfort me. She tried to get me to stop crying because I was to the point where I was huffing and puffing and could not stop shaking. Then I got phone calls from my dad, brother, and sister. My dad told me to calm down and stay strong for my mom.With my siblings, we couldn't even get a word out to each other. Today makes 19 months since he’s been gone. Every day I wish there was a stairway to heaven,not an elevator or an escalator because I would climb every step just to see him again. I skipped school for a week to go to New Orleans to be with family. We had a three day service for him. The whole family had happy and sad moments, but at the end of the service, we were all happy and laughing knowing that he is up above watching over us.

Got back to school, I still went to class, but after class I would go back to my room and hide. For a couple weeks, I could not remember where I parked and I did not go to any HISA (International Student Association) meetings. Halloween came around, and one of my friends said that I should go to the International Halloween Party because I can’t just always hide in my room and not do anything, so I did. I got to know some members at the party – no alcohol of course! And ever since then, I would socialize again. Who knew I would go from being a quiet person to now President of the International Student Association?!

College is a great experience! I am truly blessed to be where I am at now!