Three ECU Latinas show what is possible
Everyone’s journey is different. But sometimes similar paths cross — sometimes at the perfect time. Natalia Figueroa-Bernal, Sandra Garcia Juarez and Adamari Calixto-Benitez are first-generation college students whose paths crossed at East Carolina University. All three are Latinas, whose parents emigrated to the United States from Mexico. All three graduated together in May with public health degrees. All three are now studying public health in graduate school. All three are aiming for medical school.
“Being a first-generation college student definitely comes with its challenges,” Figueroa-Bernal said. “But being with other first gens definitely makes it easier cause we’re able to help each other out and work toward the same goal of graduating.”
While they are best friends now, they didn’t know each other before ECU. Figueroa-Bernal of Smithfield and Calixto-Benitez of Raleigh met in one of their public health classes. They started studying together and then became roommates. Figueroa-Bernal got involved with the AMEXCAN (Association of Mexicans in North Carolina) at ECU student group — which is associated with the nonprofit AMEXCAN in Greenville. She ended up interviewing Garcia Juarez of Williamston, for a marketing coordinator position for the student group. Their interaction with AMEXCAN at ECU led to them becoming best friends and roommates as well.
Watch with closed captions on YouTube. Video by Rich Klindworth.
The three Latinas do not have much downtime. All three have been active while on campus with various student groups and Hispanic initiatives. On top of that, they worked through their undergraduate education and have continued to work while in graduate school.
“I’ve had little part-time jobs — I’ve had the restaurant job,” Garcia Juarez said.
It’s this ‘whatever it takes’ attitude that has gotten them to this point. At first Calixto-Benitez said she felt a little pressure because of the sacrifices her parents have made for her, but that pressure has changed.
“At the beginning, I kind of did feel pressure because I see what they go through every day basically to provide for us,” Calixto-Benitez said. “The pressure comes from my side now … because I want to become better.”
Becoming bilingual physicians is the end goal for their education and future career. Although that dream was just that several years ago, hard work, determination and friendship have created a new path for their future.
“I see that it is possible,” Calixto-Benitez said.
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