Bergen Community College

Having moved from Colombia only a few years before starting college, my family's financial situation wasn't the best, therefore, I could not afford to attend a major university. When I first learned about Bergen, I realized that I could take the same classes here as I would be able to take at any other university; however, I would only be paying a third of the price! What finally did it for me was discovering that Bergen was actually ranked among the best community colleges in the country.

Bergen gave me so much and really changed my life. I was challenged academically and I had classes with great professors. However, my best experiences at Bergen occurred during my involvement with student life. I came to Bergen as a shy girl and graduated as Student Government President. My experience with student government allowed me to mature and grow as a person; it provided a new-found confidence that has helped me in every aspect of my life. I also enjoyed the fact that Bergen felt like a huge school in a small place. It was not so huge that it was overwhelming and it was small enough where you would regularly meet people, who would go out of their way to help you. At Bergen, I was not just another student; I actually felt like the faculty and staff cared.
I also enjoyed my honor classes. These classes were small, the professors challenged me, and I was developing a real thirst for knowledge. The honors curricula enabled me to think outside the box and develop great learning skills.

For some reason, a few people look down on community colleges; they believe it's not a "real" college experience. They couldn’t be any more wrong! Bergen is one of the best learning institutions I've known. It offers students endless possibilities and opportunities for the advancement of their future. I would tell students to take advantage of all of them; get involved in student life, take honors classes, attend the many free seminars, meet people from more than 116 countries all over the world, and get involved with any other opportunity at Bergen that may appeal to you. Bergen is what you make of it, so make it the best experience it can be.

Florida International University, currently enrolled in the B.A. program in Biology.

A.S.