Troy University’s Spanish Club held a panel Thursday afternoon to share about the different adversities Hispanic students may face during their college experience in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
“It's been hard,” said Sara Quinceno, a sophomore nursing major from Cali, Columbia. “Especially just being immersed in a whole different culture, having to learn a new language and having to leave my family, but I'm having good opportunities here.”
Quinceno was one of the speakers who shared the struggles she faced.
“It was the little details that you wouldn’t think of like writing a date, because we write it differently,” Quinceno said. “It was difficult learning how to think and do everything in a language and then having to say it out loud in a different language.”
Quinceno spoke about some ways Troy students can help make international students feel more welcome on Troy’s campus.
“I think sometimes it just takes the first step to reach out to them,” Quinceno said. “Try to learn a little about their culture, how they’re doing and include them in every way possible.
“I know Troy does a really good job at that.”
Anthony Tzanahua, a sophomore business major from Ariton, Alabama, was another student on the panel. He is a first-generation Mexican American, as well as a first generation college student fand the only Hispanic graduate from his high school.
One challenge Tzanahua has learned is how to balance co-owning eight businesses while being a full-time student at Troy University, a few of which are Trojan Donuts and Rike’s Tacos from his hometown, Ariton, Alabama.
Tzanahua shared a few things he hoped resonated with students who attended the panel.
“I hope they realize that we can all achieve what we put our minds to, and that we just need to take opportunities very seriously,” Tzanahua said. “It’s all about opportunities, and if you don’t ask, the answer is always no.
“Another thing is you never know who you’re standing next to. I just look like a regular college student, but behind all this is somebody totally different.”
Alandra Jaimes-Pena, a sophomore political science major with a minor in legal studies from Birmingham, Alabama, attended the panel . Pena’s parents are from Mexico, and she is a first-generation student.
“I really enjoyed their stories,” Pena said. “They all come from different backgrounds, and yes, they face all of this adversity, but they are all still succeeding.”
Pena is roommates and close friends with Quinceno.
“We really bonded with each other and stuck close together because we were the first Hispanics that we saw on campus, and we’re such a small community in colleges,” Pena said.
One way Pena was able to get involved and connected on campus was through Conversation Partners, a program offered here at Troy where a fluent English-speaking student is paired with an international student to hang out, help them adapt and learn about American culture.
“I love going to them and being able to relate to some of their experiences, like learning a new language, because I've been through it,” Pena said. “I'm not an international student, but I know how hard it is to fit into a new place.”
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