Looking back from when I started registering and studying with Essex County College feels like yesterday. It’s amazing how time flies when we are learning, growing and flourishing. As I am fervently looking forward to May 2011 graduations, my journey in ECC has been very fruitful. Of course it was never smooth yet I never stopped. I kept going!
My name is Agnes Matlebjane: an international student here in ECC, a proud native of South Africa hailing from the “dusty roads” of Soweto. I am the first member in my family to receive higher education, hence will be the first to graduate. Similar to everyone else, we all have hopes and dreams when we get hold of an opportunity to be in college. With that being articulated, my objective for pursuing a B. degree in Communication studies, with Liberal Arts – Journalism as my major is that, it will profoundly change my life and the lives of those around me. Therefore, I hope to give back to the world in every aspect possible as education obtained in the USA represents hope for me, my family and the global community.
Unquestionably, ECC has helped me shape my future goals and aspirations. I wouldn’t trade anything for all the experiences and memories I had herein Newark campus. Most importantly, being granted the opportunity of a writer to a managing editor followed by the editor in chief position for the Essex County College Observer (ECCO) meant a lot to me. Obviously, I interacted with the staff and students from different parts of the world, I’ve learnt a lot and the most rewarding experience was the interview I carried out with our president, Dr. Edythe M. Abdullah as we were welcoming her to our college, to me, that was a “triumph” moment. Also, my writing skills improved way beyond imagination. Therefore as I step down, I am confident that our new ECCO staff and the current selected Editor in chief will serve your best interests and help you along the way as you express yourself through words.
Lastly, as I enthusiastically look forward to starting my journey with Kean University this coming fall, with the intellectual tools which ECC instilled in me, great professors who taught me and counselors who advised me throughout my voyage in this institute, I am positive that if not all, most of my realistic goals will be achieved as well as the dream which I always had to help those around me to attend school, set goals and achieve them will come true.
