Column: A Bienvenida that every Latino college student and their families should have

Saturday was the second annual Bienvenida event at Cal State Long Beach (CSULB), where dozens of students and their families had the opportunity to know more about college life. 

From learning how to apply for financial aid, scholarships, and community support, to being prepared for life after college with resume building, financial literacy, counseling and psychological services, just to mention a few. 

As a CSULB faculty member, it was very gratifying to see the interest from the families to accompany their students in the journey. I was able to share some of my own experience with the families sitting at my table. It was very exciting to see how parents were eager to learn and kept asking questions. 

The conference was very much in Spanglish, the often spoken language in many Latino homes. 

The event mirrors the large Latino population in the school. CSULB has about 51% of Latino students and has been a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) since 2005. This means that  CSULB centers its efforts on intentionally serving and providing educational opportunities for Latino students.

Keep going

During the panel, students agreed on how difficult it is to assimilate. Imposter syndrome in college is real and many students tend to believe they don't belong in college.

Dr. José Moreno, Chicano Studies professor, said students are not in college because of “suerte” or “ganas,” he said they are there because they are smart, they studied, and earned their seat at the university. 

I truly believe those words. When I was in college, I was an undocumented student who had to study long hours and after that, I had to spend several more hours applying for scholarships on an ongoing basis. 

That was my only option to pay for my tuition since undocumented students don’t qualify for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and back then, the California Dream Act didn’t exist. 

Many years have passed by since I graduated, but the struggle is the same. Many Latino students have to deal with work and school, commuting long distances, and staying awake late to study. This is something that sometimes parents don’t understand. 

One of the students said the college experience can get lonely and overwhelming if they don’t become part of a community inside and outside of campus. 

“The mental fatigue after studying for many hours is real,” said the student panelist.

That’s why CSULB offers a variety of groups and organizations that students can join, depending on their interests.  

A celebration to come

Latinos are known to be very family-oriented. During the conference, it was highlighted by several speakers that the degree Latino students receive is not just for them but also for their families. 

It is a true testament to the journey of making it in the United States. It gives real meaning to the phrase “parents who left their country for a better life.” 

In their parents' and grandparents' eyes, these younger generations are the meaning of a better life. They are the education, the knowledge and the inspiration for a better future. 

Therefore, it is very important to help them during the journey, but also to understand them. One of the panelists said it quite well, “Just as parents proudly celebrate the quinceañera, now they get the opportunity to celebrate a college graduation.”

While many parents don’t understand the long hours of studying, it is important to maintain an open communication with their students so they learn about their needs. 

After all, Latinos are here to stay for many generations to come. According to the Pew Research Center, Latinos represent about 19% of the total population in the U.S. Currently, Hispanics are the second-largest population after the non-Hispanic white population. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the U.S. will become majority-minority by 2045, with Hispanic people making up a significant portion of this growth.  

Let’s hope more colleges and universities have a Bienvenida event every semester so parents and students leave with much hope and ready for college life en familia.