CAMPUS Page 6 The Renegad e Rip I www.therip .com Wednesday, May 5, 20 10 Students share 'A Cup of Culture' together Left: Bakersfield College nursing major Debra Ramos speaks to a crowd about her mixed Filipino and Spanish ancestry during "A Cup of Culture" on April 21. Right: Students and audience members listen to stories and cultural backgrounds of Bakersfield College international students April 21. PHOTOS BY DAVID KARNOWSKI / THE RIP By Michael Wafford coming to the United States to his experiences with coming of the storytellers. staying after finishing college. tion, said, "Learning about their Reporter gain an education and their expe­ from a war-torn country to the Not all presenters came from "It was fun hearing other stu­ backgrounds and seeing how Bakersfield College students riences so far. United States, detailing his ex­ lands as far away as Burma. dents speak;' said business ma­ they have to struggle makes me from around the globe told their A common theme among the periences in refugee camps. "I Presenter Asma Ali, 19, born in jor Tangela Boler, 19. thankful for what I have, makes stories sharing "A Cup of Cul­ speakers was the vast amount of never even dreamed of thinking Bakersfield ofYeminite descent, Students in attendance said me want to work hard." ture" with around 50 BC stu­ cultures and races present in the of going overseas," said May, shared her experiences about be­ they gained a lot from the expe­ "We organized it so students dents on April 21 in the Student United States compared to their who arrived in the United States ing the first female in her family, rience and understand the hard­ can learn from other cultures. Services building. country of origin. two years ago. to the best of her knowledge, to ships international students face They can become more familiar "A Cup of Culture, Story Tell­ Students discussed the lan­ Other presenters, such as Chi attend college along with the cul­ more than they did before. "You with differences and similari­ ing by International Students" guage barriers they encountered, Dinh, 18, of Vietnam, had been tural and linguistic differences see other people here from those ties among themselves. Students had students dressed in every­ the differences in food, the feel­ interested in studying in anoth­ present in her home. cultures, but you don't really may speak different languages thing from T-shirts and denim to ings of being surrounded by er country since childhood. "I All foreign presenters believed take the time to talk to them," but they may be very similar flowing dresses and burqas from strangers and how their view of wanted to do it for myself and that coming to the United States said Desi Ruiz, 20. in other aspects," said Shohreh the BC international student pro­ the United States has changed. my country," said Dinh. This was a great experience regard­ Victor Mota, 19, engineering Rahhman, international student gram sharing their stories about Nay May, from Burma, shared sentiment was echoed by several less of whether they intended on major, inspired by the presenta- counselor at BC. Career day helps job hunters at BC Fu I-time father, By Ryan George attendance. said. all of the applications." AMF is ex­ Reporter Eric Menor, a representative of Darlene Sharp, general manager pecting at least another 250 appli­ full-time student Career Services Center, commented of one of the AMF bowling lanes cations after this event. Bakersfield College's annual on what CSC does for follow-ups. here in Bakersfield, said, "Last year Yushai Chang, a manager of the Career Day was held on April 28 Speaking of the application pro­ I would say that about 150 people Gosford Road location of Panda By Michael Wafford inside the Campus Center Fireside cess, "In this economy, 70 to 80 minimum [applied]." Express, also mentioned, "They Reporter Room and cafeteria with an esti­ percent will foUow through, espe­ She said her response time may [the applicants] will be notified [as "It doesn't affect my social life because I really don't mated 30 businesses and schools in cially if they need a job," Menor take her "a few weeks to go through early as] within the week." have one. He is my life," said Sewalme Garrett Sr., Ba­ kersfield College student and father. His face and arms are scarred, his hair neatly braided, his arms show crude tattoos he received in his teenage year·s. Choosing his words car·efully and speaking with Professors prepare final exams for their students a southern drawl, GarTett, 31 , is devoted to his son. Born in Louisiana, GarTett is the father of two chil­ Samantha Garrett do very well in general. Most expect dren: Sewahne Garrett II, 3, and Jayden GarTett, 2. Illustrator the outcome to be similar to that of Jayden currently lives with his mother in Louisiana. past semesters. Garrett, who is currently in his second semester at BC As most Bakersfield College stu­ For some students, the final exam pursuing an associate's degree and ce1tificate in indus­ Final examination~ or 110 minuK~ arc scheduk<l for all coun;c:.. Final dents may have noticed, finals are might be a short series of multiple­ trial technology, has been through a lot. examination da) are included in the 175 in~t1uc1ional days required coming up. This means stress, last choice questions, while for others it Moving to California in 1997 and gaining a GED af­ h>• law. Final examinatioru an: 10 be held in the regularly ~ hcdulcd minute cram sessions, panic attacks, can take up the entire amount of time ter being expelled from his high school in Louisiana, clas:.roorns on the dates and time:. Ii too below in order to comply with and, for the rare few, a feeling of ease given for the exam and truly test their Garrett moved back and forth between the two states, college polic>'· and preparedness. However, that's knowledge. As the faculty at BC are eventually getting incarcerated in 2004. just how it is for students. very varied in thefr teaching methods, "I'm the type of person who doesn't let too much get How are finals for the professors so, too, are their methods for testing to me. When you get to stressing, that gets your mind For da~:,cs mec1io2 MW, MWF. MTWR, MTWRF. M. W. or F and instructors of BC? After all, it's their students. boggled and you can't think straight. You end up miss­ IP >'OUR Cl.ASS BRGINS BP.TWEF.N: >'OUR FINAi, IS O.V: not like those exams just magic them­ In classes where the material stud­ ing out on something good or messing up something 7 am and 7:40 a.m.. .................................. Mon.. May IO from 8·9:50 am selves into existence. ied is less text-based, such as theater, you have that's going good," said Garrett. 7:50 am and 9:JOam... ............................. Wed., Ma)' 12 from 8·9:50 am For some professors, such as Nancy Kimberly Chin's Theater Bl class, Having been incar·cerated from 2004 to 2006 for sim­ 9:20 am and 10:20 a.m ......................... Mon., May lO from 10. 11 :50 am Magner who teaches art appreciation which is Beginning Acting, is tested ple escape and a failed drug test, GarTett has made peace 10:30 am an<l 11 :30am. ........................ Wed .• May 12 from 10. 11 :50 am and art history, an exam can take two on the skills each student learned with his past. "Everything happens for a reason, and it to two and a half houis to prepare. rather than memorized terms. "The was all a turning point for me in my life," said Garrett. 1l :40am and 12: !0am... ................... Mon., May 10 from noon· l:50 pm Once the students complete the exam, students' final exam is a five-minute Garrett's first son was born in 2007, and he realized 12:50 pm and 1:50 pm ....................... Wed., May 12 from noon·l:50 pm it must be graded. For some teach­ scene performance. Students find he had to dedicate his life to him "I've lived my life. It's 2 pm and 3 pm .......................................... Mon., May 10 from 2-3:50 pm ers, that means feeding a menagerie a scene partner within the class and time for me to do it for him;' said Garrett. He went on 3:10 pm and 3:50 l)m ............................... Wed., May 12 from 2-3:50 pm of Scantrons through the machine; select their five-minute scene from a to say he is almost never unhappy. "Every day I wake 4 pm an<l 4:50 pm .................................... Mon.. May 10 from 4-5:50 pm for others, it means carefully reading published play, movie, TV series or an up and see my baby; he smiles at me and that kicks it 5 pm and 6 pm .......................................... Mon., May 10 from 6-7:50 pm multiple essays-it could even be, original script. I have directed each off right there," said Garrett, who received full custody Only on Mon. hctwccn more commonly, a combination of the group in their scenes having anywhere of his son with the assistance of the Greater Bakersfield two. 5:30 pm and 6:20 pm ............................. Mon., May 10 from 6-7:50 pm from one to three 30 minute or longer Legal Assistance's services after a legal dispute with his While multiple choice exams might rehearsals." ex-wife and mother of Garrett Jr., according to Garrett.