The 2018 recipient of the Jimmy Nhat Nguyen scholarship is Fifonsi Bibiane Jenkins. Born in Benin, a small African country next to Nigeria, her journey in life and in the US has been filled with challenges that only a few experience in a life time. But she rises above them all and her optimism and positive energy shine through in the scholarship essay. One of Ms. Jenkins’ teachers sums up her character well in one sentence: “Ms. Jenkins exemplifies perseverance in the face of adversity.” We hope her story will inspire her fellow students and many others.

Scholarship essay by Fifonsi bibiane Jenkins

My history and path to get to this scholarship application is not a happy one. It began in tragedy in 1998 in my home country of Benin. It was then I sorrowfully witnessed my parents’ divorce. My father lost his properties and savings, leading to bankrupted businesses, my family torn apart, my sisters and I were to live with my mother; while my brothers lived with my father. Nonetheless, despite the tragedy that surrounds this event, it served to pique my interest in Education, and their associated risks. For this reason, I am pursuing my Associate Degree in Sciences to become a Pharmacist at Long Beach City College.

In 1999 I immigrated to the United States to pursue my passion and dream of becoming a Pharmacist. Upon my arrival, the family that adopted me, used me for their personal needs, forced me to marry one of their relatives which turned into fourteen years of pure emotional, physical abuse. Even though I was in a very uncomfortable, abusive relationship, I never lost hope. I then started teaching myself how to write, read in English just by listening to everyone conversation to fully prepare myself for the difficulties of academic classes taught in English. I knew that one day I will get out of my situation then, and only then sky will be the limit for me. My will, motivation, determination to never give up finally pays off. One of the family members found my notebook accidentally and read it and promise to help me escape.

On December 21, 2014, mark the day of my escape, purchased a one-way greyhound ticket from Oregon to Los Angeles. I was following my intuitions which lead me to the right direction. Bus after bus, I glimpsed out the window, that’s when I spotted Long Beach City College. Tears of joy I could not hold. I asked a couple of students where to register for college. I was officially enrolled at Long Beach City College, scheduled my assessment test, receive my new student I.D card. My freshman year was grueling, I was sleeping on campus, in the Horticulture Department as I had to adjust to a new environment and was frequently lonely and homesick. My first Reading 82 professor took me under her wing by guiding me through my academic career and providing me comfort and reassurance. Thankfully, my feelings of isolation and loneliness improved, as I became more involved in friendships and extracurricular activities. I became involved with EOPS (Extended Opportunity Program and Services) to inform students about the benefit of attending of the program. I felt proud of my accomplishment when I received an invitation from EOPS to be part of their recognition luncheon for being on a Dean’s List. I am also member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at LBCC. Today, I am part of the Homeless Program on campus advocating for a large group of students that are going through similar experiences. LBCC asked me to make a video so they can get involved in helping students like me achieve their goals. Long Beach City College is presenting my video at many meetings, conferences on campus since it is still an ongoing process that will take a lot of time and consideration.

The classes I am taking at LBCC are preparing me for the challenges of a four-year institution. LBCC is the perfect environment for me to make the transition from my horrible situation to where I am heading. It honed my interest in Pharmacy, as I have learned more about the numerous pain pills’ crises that engulfed so many African nations. I believe furthering my knowledge in Pharmacy will give me the perspective necessary to understand these crises and conflicts. There is a profound lack of medicines in most African countries where kids are dying every second due to malaria, mosquito’s bites turns into yellow fever; it must be addressed before secure economic development can truly become possible. Ultimately, I want to help develop ways to involve many pharmacists to bring more medicines to decrease the horrible life many generations already perished. I want to keep other families from suffering so much pain and sorrow due to unethical financial difficulties. Upon receiving my degree, I intend to work at either Kaiser Permanente, UCLA Medical Center or at a different international institution in the same capacity. I hope to use my newly-acquired expertise to push for more progressive policies and the development of pain pills to stabilize the economy and improve the development of countries like mine.

I took a leap of faith in coming to the United States. I abandoned all I had accomplished in my home country of Benin for the hope of what I could accomplish in the United States. As I sit here today, in the greatest nation in the world, I am constantly reminded of how far I have come and how close I am to fulfilling my personal dreams and those of my family, as well. I have realized the choices I make influence the goals I aspire to achieve, and the same rule applies to my motivation and determination.