Nov. 8 marks the 54th anniversary of the Higher Education Act, and Salt Lake Community College is joining institutions across the country in celebrating the presence and experiences of first-generation college students. Join SLCC first-generation students Nov. 7, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus (Student Event Center), South City Campus (Student Forum), Jordan Campus (JHS Foyer) and West Valley Center for food, games, a panel discussion and fun.
The college is also featuring personal stories of first-generation students. This is Nadia's story.
Nadia Yahyapourroshankouhi
Age:
19
Hometown:
My family and I are from Sari, Iran. We migrated to Turkey when I
was 12 years old and then we came to the United States after two years of
living in Turkey.
Family history:
Growing up in Iran with the Bahai had many difficulties. People of
my religion were not allowed to hold government jobs or decent jobs and were
stuck with jobs others did not want to do like plumber, mechanic, house painter
and field workers. We could not vote, attend university after high school or
participate in rallies and marches. Many of our religious leaders are in prison
for simply being Bahai, and the government has shut down many Bahai businesses
for simply existing. In Iran, my father tried opening his own mechanic shop,
but the government did not give him a permit to open his shop because of his
religion. These reasons influenced why we left Iran. I was bullied in school
for my religion by my peers, and they isolated me from doing activities and
sports with everyone because of my religion. It was like they saw us an
inferior people and treated us poorly. My family and I migrated to the United
States to look for better job opportunities and freedom. We face language
barrier difficulties in our daily lives, but that does not prevent us from
moving forward.
Why others before you haven’t gone to college:
Because growing up in Iran with the Bahai religion was a challenge
for them. The government did not allow Bahai’s to attend colleges and
universities solely based on their religion. My family and I left Iran so my
siblings and I can pursue our dreams of becoming successful.
Why you chose SLCC over other schools:
I chose Salt Lake Community College over other schools because it
is closer to my house and the city. Another reason I chose this school is that
it is less expensive than other schools, yet it offers many great degrees and
classes. I did some research and found that Salt Lake Community College works
closely with the University of Utah and has a high rate of transfer to the U of
U.
What you like about SLCC:
I like the diversity of Salt Lake Community College and the
involvement of students with the community. I enjoy hanging out with friends at
the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. I have met many interesting,
uniqu, and diverse people in that office and have become friends with most of
them. I also enjoy the tutoring and support services the college offers to
students.
Favorite memories so far at SLCC:
Most of my fun memories at the college are with people in the
Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, because we share common
interests and enjoy conversating with each other. I enjoy all the free gear,
free food and events that happen at the student center. You can find many
things happening at the college every day, and I enjoy attending random events
between classes.
What being a first-generation student means to you and others:
Being a first-generation college student to me means discovering
new things and testing boundaries. To me being first-gen means finding schools,
classes and resources on my own and making a path for my siblings to follow and
not have to be first-time learners about college resources. My family and
friends are proud of me for attending college as the first person in our family
because no one in my family has gone to college before me.
What kinds of support have you found for first-generation
students:
I have found some scholarships and support services available to
first-generation students. I find that asking questions helps me understand the
college system better and get prepared for my career efficiently.
Dream job:
Orthodontist.
Plan B:
If I had to choose another career path, I would choose to be a
chemist or a job in criminology.
Plans after SLCC:
My plans after Salt Lake Community College are to transfer to my
dream school, the University of Utah, and get a Bachelor of Science in
Chemistry. Then, I want to attend the School of Dentistry at the University of
Utah to become an orthodontist.