Global Dreams and Cross-Cultural Insights: Navigating the Future as an International Student

Growing up, career conversations have always been difficult for me. When I was a kid, I told people that I wanted to be a doctor. Then in adolescence, being like my dad was the goal: a pilot who came from the Air Force and joined the military. 

Somewhere along the lines I also wanted to be a Victoria’s Secret bombshell supermodel. But we all know 5 feet and a half won’t cut it, even with 10 inches of stilettos. Eventually, though, my calling was to be a veterinarian. Close to a doctor, I guess, except it’s not for you, but your cat!

Compromises

Knowing which career path you want to take can be confusing, and sometimes you only find out after finishing a full degree in a different field! Sometimes all it takes is to think about what you really like doing, and trying out a bunch of different jobs or experiences in school! When I brought up to my parents that I wanted to be a veterinarian, my parents weren’t that ecstatic. 

In the Philippines, being a skilled worker is becoming one of the grand workers: doctor, lawyer, or engineer. That can be subjective, too, but not for where I’m from. So I took an undergrad of Computer Engineering at De La Salle University Manila. Despite loving the idea of becoming a veterinarian, being a skilled worker, like a Computer Engineer, was imperative. 

Here, There and Everywhere!

As I got to Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), naturally, I took up Computer Science! I still aim to become some form of engineer — wasting all the knowledge I’ve gathered wouldn’t be nice — hopefully, a software engineer. I’ve learned to love the essence of being a computer scientist, just as how anyone can learn how to love anything :) 

I’ve also ventured out into the working world! This summer, I was able to work in the campus’ Welcome Center, which gave me all of the knowledge I would need about TMCC! It was definitely a different environment from being in the International Student Services, as I was the first point of contact anyone would interact with on campus. Though I am back for the beginning of the semester as an International Peer Mentor, an opportunity came up. I was able to get an on-campus job that is directly related to my field, a Student Web Assistant for the Web Services Office! Hence, this shall be the last blog post from me. 

Moving on…

It has been a journey being in the Diversity and International Student Center and Office (DISCO). A lot of memories were made. Moreover, working on-campus has given me a taste of the real world. It’s given me experiences that enrich the growth of an international student studying abroad. Although I would genuinely miss working with the students (old and new), I have to think about my future and do what’s best for myself — getting exposure to what I will be doing in the future! It’s a bittersweet ending, but I’ll definitely stop by the DISCO to the best of my ability until I graduate next year (just to make sure everyone doesn’t forget how annoying I am).

I’m excited to see what’s in store for me and for the new endeavor I am going to take. I am so glad to have interacted with everyone through these articles for Study in the USA, and to let you guys in on my life as an international student in the United States! See you soon.

Cheers, and tables, (*salutes*),

Alaine

Alaine Obra from the Philippines is studying for an associate’s degree in computer science at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada.