Bergen Community College

A.A.

I was born and raised in Brazil. My family and I moved to the United States when I was 14 years old. Although there was a drastic change in terms of culture and language, the experience has been a rewarding one. In 2001 I graduated from Hackensack High School, and entered the workforce when I was offered the general manager position of a restaurant. Money is not everything, and I learned that lesson the hard way. When I was 24 I married the love of my life; she encouraged me to continue my education (and for that I owe her more than she will ever know). That same year I quit the food industry altogether, and arranged employment to fit a schedule that would include classes at Bergen Community College, where I gladly am at the moment.

I chose Bergen Community College for many reasons. Truthfully, it is the closest college to where I reside. Luckily, Bergen boasts a faculty that is second to none. Some professors have made it their sole purpose in life to share their vast knowledge in specific academic fields. Other professors are adjunct in their capacity, but they teach not only in theory but from first-hand experience. Should I give an example? I studied in Professor Vadon’s WRT-101 class at Bergen. I learned more in his class than I did in four years of English while in high school. Enough said?

"For one swallow does not make a spring, nor does one day; and so too one day, or a short time, does not make a man blessed and happy." (Aristotle, 'Nicomachean Ethics'). Your time as a student will have fruition if you make it part of your life; not for one day or 30 days, but forevermore.

My favorite academic experience so far has to be philosophy with Professor Eckstein, without a doubt. Nothing humbles you, twists your world upside down, and prepares you for real thinking like a good philosophy class. And of course, what is a philosophy class without an excellent tutor? If I can recommend anything, that thing is philosophy.

I am part of Phi Theta Kappa. I plan on taking a more active role in the club when I quit my full time job. I plan on becoming a full-time student and working part-time, because not all my years of employment have been as beautiful as the time I invested in Bergen Community College.

rbjuliano@gmail.com