Finding an identity Program impacts international student’s college experience

Tim Toton/Roundup oton.roundupnews@gmail.com

Increasing numbers of students from abroad help make Pierce College an ethnically-vibrant campus, matching a 20-year trend in other community colleges across the state.

One Pierce student who reflects this diversity is Shelly Ann Jagroop, a 22-year-old psychology major from Chaguanas, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Jagroop recalls her childhood flying kites, playing hide-andseek, fishing with cousins and schoolmates and eating mangoes, guavas, coconuts and tangerines.

“One of my favorite childhood memories has to be playing in my grandfather’s huge garden with all my cousins,” she said. “It was more like a mini jungle and we would climb every tree, play games and eat all the fruits.”

Jagroop is a middle child flanked by brothers eight years her junior and senior. Her elder halfbrother came to the United States and then helped the family follow sooner than they expected.

“There were certain gangs and people that targeted my father because we owned businesses,” she said. “Threats to kidnap my brother and I were made. There were bombs thrown at our house.”

Right after graduating high school at 18, Jagroop and her family moved to the U.S. to begin a new life. She currently lives in Santa Clarita, Calif. with her father, mother and younger brother.

“In Trinidad, not only are you familiar with most places, but also with most people. And in the U.S. it’s very big and there is so much diversity,” she said.

The International Student Admission actively seeks to add to the enrollment number of international students like Jagroop. There are currently 157 international students at Pierce, according to Abigail Sandico, director of the ISA.

The ISA gives prospective students reasons to attend Pierce, such as a high transfer rate to universities within the state, campus safety, a glamorous location and pleasant weather, according to their website materials.

Jagroop said she “felt very safe, even after night classes” on campus and agrees that the standard of education at Pierce is “very high.”

Jagroop said that it’s difficult for her to connect with some people in the U.S. and although she is not a member of the International Students Club, she gets why such clubs are important.

“My biggest struggle has to be repeating myself to people, because not a lot of people understand my accent at first,” she said.

The ISC has roughly 40 active members in the group this semester, while their website notes more than 125 members and thousands who successfully achieved their goals, according to Kameni Ngahdeu, the current president of ISC.

“I think Pierce satisfies the needs of international students,” Jagroop said “Through clubs and events they have a chance to socialize and have found an identity.”

Nelson Funes, a domestic student taking a political science class, sees the camaraderie firsthand.

“About 90 percent of my class is international students,” he said. “They talk a lot between themselves.”

After three years of community college, Jagroop is looking forward

Sponsored by ASO to her transfer to Regent University in Virginia, but muses her time at Pierce.

“What I will take from my experience is definitely my academic success but also the faculty, counselors, and students who have helped me throughout,” Jagroop said. “Pierce definitely made me focus and has reignited my passion for learning and pursuing my goals.” Despite some jarring experiences, Jagroop is a proud delegate of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

“Trinidad and Tobago’s culture is very big, rich and diverse. It will blow your mind,” she said. “From the beaches to the people and our world-renowned carnival celebration, the fun will never end.”

Performing at the Comedy Store in Hollywood was all that a young Denise Robb was expecting, but things took an unexpected turn when Robin Williams showed up to perform as well.

“Robin Williams is next door!” yelled an audience member during Robb’s performance. That’s when everyone, including Robb, left her show to watch Williams’.

That was almost 20 years ago. Before she was teaching Political Science at Pierce College, she was a stand-up comedian.

She was a young actress who had a funny side to her. Taking up an opportunity at an open mic night she wrote up some material and opened the door to the beginning of her comedy world.

It was in her early 20s that she began doing stand-up across the country, touring with several other comedians.

“I was just looking to make extra money,” Robb said. “Then I was booking things across the country and some work on television.”

Robb has performed in Alaska, New York, Seattle, and even made her w2ay out of the country to places like Canada.

One of her performances was for a television show called “Comedy Time” at the legendary Ice House in Pasadena, Calif.

The Ice House is the oldest standup comedy club in the country.

“You have to be really good to perform here,” said Barbara Corry, an employee of the Ice House. “Anybody who is anybody has passed through those doors.”

Some other comics who have performed at the Ice House include Robin Williams, Jay Leno and George Lopez. “Comedy is fun but it’s not a stable life unless you’re young,” Robb said. “I like my regular life now. It’s more meaningful.”

Robb describes some comedians as depressed and miserable.

“I would get lonely because I would always be on the road and would only hang out with comedians,” she said. For the full story, visit theroundupnews.com.