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<strong>Siouxland</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> | Converse / 14<br />
Inclusive Peek<br />
By Bernice Semana<br />
My name is Bernice Semana and I am an<br />
international student born in Kigali, Rwanda.<br />
I am a senior at Briar Cliff University majoring in<br />
biochemistry with a minor in business. I will graduate<br />
in May 2021 and will attend graduate school in the<br />
United States.<br />
What challenges have you experienced in<br />
<strong>Siouxland</strong>?<br />
The language barrier was difficult, especially at the<br />
beginning. Sometimes people are not understanding<br />
that I, or other international students, come from a<br />
different place or a different background. This can<br />
happen for lots of reasons. It may be that the person<br />
hasn’t had the opportunity to travel or experience<br />
different ways of living. However, in this time in our<br />
world we each have the responsibility to educate<br />
ourselves. Even if travel isn’t an option, there are<br />
many ways to learn by attending cultural events,<br />
doing research online, and developing friendships<br />
with people different than you.<br />
Bernice Semana<br />
Coming to Iowa was a very different experience. I<br />
was awarded a scholarship to attend college here,<br />
so I took a big risk and decided to come. Being away<br />
from family has been difficult. Everything about my<br />
life in college is different from what I was used to.<br />
The teaching and learning styles in American school<br />
are different, the perceptions people have of me<br />
can be based on stereotypes or misinformation. I<br />
did my best to learn about the community I am in<br />
now, but have definitely experienced challenges in<br />
the process. I have experienced some racism during<br />
my time here, and it felt like I was taking two steps<br />
forward and one-step backward.<br />
How has <strong>Siouxland</strong> been welcoming?<br />
The Briar Cliff University campus has been a<br />
wonderful support group for me. There are other<br />
international students on campus, and we support<br />
each other. In fact, there was another student from<br />
Rwanda that helped me during my transition to<br />
Sioux City. There were other students that grew up<br />
in the United States that were also helpful and have<br />
become good friends. The staff and advisors at Briar<br />
Cliff have also made an impact on my time here<br />
and have encouraged me to keep working toward<br />
my goals. There have been people in the Sioux<br />
City community through my church and community<br />
groups that also welcomed me and mentored me.<br />
I have also had the opportunity to learn leadership<br />
skills through our Women of Color organization<br />
on campus. Together with the other women in the<br />
group we have held educational programs, built<br />
friendships, and supported each other.<br />
What do you want the people of <strong>Siouxland</strong> to<br />
know?<br />
The continent of Africa is a large and diverse place with<br />
many cultures and countries. Within the continent there<br />
are a variety of communities, cities, and rural areas. There<br />
is a diversity of languages, traditions, ways of making a<br />
living, and more. It is important for people to understand<br />
that even though I am from Africa, my life is not the<br />
same as others. It is the same as in other parts of the<br />
world or even the United States. Each person has their<br />
own unique story and experience. There are struggles<br />
and triumphs that each person carries with them. I want<br />
people to understand this diversity and take time to<br />
educate themselves about the various people within<br />
the community. People will benefit from developing an<br />
understanding and appreciation for differences.<br />
I also want the <strong>Siouxland</strong> community to know that my<br />
family is very proud and supportive of my educational<br />
and career goals. Even though we are a far distance<br />
apart, they remain a big part of my life. They take every<br />
chance they get to tell people about me and what I have<br />
achieved at Briar Cliff. I know they are proud of me and I<br />
want to continue to make them proud in the future.<br />
Despite experiencing some challenges along the way,<br />
I want the community to know that I am grateful for the<br />
people and opportunities I have come across. Being a<br />
leader in our Women of Color organization at Briar Cliff<br />
has especially made a positive impact. We have done lots<br />
of community outreach and events together. Being in the<br />
<strong>Siouxland</strong> community has given me access to experiences<br />
that have truly helped strengthen me as a person.
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