Coming to college as a nursing major and seeing seven classes on my schedule was not exciting. A course that has now become my favorite is the AIC Core Education Program (ACE). Terrence O’Neill and Carmaris Denson are the professors in my ACE class. They are phenomenal. This course is only open to first-year and first-generation college students, including international students. “First Generation” does not always mean the first person in your family to go to college; it can also reference someone who breaks the chain of nonacademic routines in your past generations.
During my first year at American International College, entering the AIC campus was nothing but welcoming, and all the bees were attracted to our theme colors and Yellow Jacket balloons. Some students live near campus, and some are international students from across the globe. One challenge all first-year students face is coming to a new campus and finally being responsible for the way we live. Move-in day in Magna Hall was full of nerves and excitement; new students had finally arrived on campus to pursue their major, an athletic career, or sometimes both at American International College. When coming to college, you are expected to have various new experiences. For me, college is the first time I am able to be left alone away from my parents. I can hang out with friends until sundown, go to the library, or eat at the dining commons to get a nice meal throughout the day whenever I am hungry.
I interviewed Terrence O’Neill and asked him to share his thoughts on this course. He said that the original purpose of the ACE program was to “Focus on creating a welcoming, supportive environment where you gain confidence along the way by being part of a first-gen cohort as well as the broader campus community.”
What should students expect from a class in the ACE program? O’Neill shared that because it is a first-year experience class, students “meet other first-year ACE students and upper-class students, and you will learn about college success, time management, study skills, and typical first-year challenges.”
I interviewed a few students on the AIC campus and asked them how it has been coming to AIC as a first-year student up until now.
AIC alumni and graduate student Grace Dervan, from Ireland, said, “As an international student, it is not always easy to be far away from home, but the ACE Program has provided me with a second family. ”
AIC international senior student Silas Choge said that the ACE Program helped him “Build my confidence to face everything on campus, especially transitioning from a different curriculum structure. It is my day-to-day motivation because of wonderful professors and advisors.”
Being a first-year student at AIC gives me hope of fulfilling things around campus and participating in campus events. People around campus join in dance, acrobatics, trendy programs, and various sports teams.
As a freshman, I highly suggest everyone tries living in the dorms for at least one semester. These experiences changed my understanding of college. People come together underneath one roof, and you have a roommate you share space with and neighbors with a similar living style as everyone around you. Your hall mates might include people from different sports, genders, styles, and religions, making this a humbling experience that offers growth for the future.
