Sophomore history major Eduardo Ajuech-Agreda was unsure how to navigate his first semester at the University of South Carolina. But joining USC’s First-Generation living and learning community helped the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, native successfully transition to life in college.
USC’s intellectually stimulating living and learning communities help students turn their interests and passions into fulfilling careers. We talked to Ajuech-Agreda about his experience living in Maxcy Residence Hall, one of USC’s seven faculty-led living and learning communities.
What are some highlights of your experience as a student in the First-Generation community?
The highlights I think of immediately were the friends I made. I was really nervous the first few weeks, and I didn't talk to anyone other than my roommate. It wasn't until I decided to start talking to people that I found a group of friends. Another highlight was the network dinner the LLC hosted where I met other first-gen students and professors and faculty in my field that helped me understand where to go in my future career. My proudest moment as a student in the first-gen LLC was when I was chosen to speak in front of faculty about my experience as a first-gen student.
How has your experience with the First-Generation community impacted your overall student experience at USC?
The first-gen community has prepared me for things that first-year students should know about the later years of university. I took a section of U101 for first-gen students which helped me with things like budgeting, study tips and looking for apartments. The biggest skill that the first-gen programs prepared me for was networking and access to opportunities such as jobs and internships. An example of this was when the director of the program, Dr. LaNaé Budden, recommended me for two campus jobs. I got jobs as a McCausland ambassador and summer senior counselor, and I expanded my resume here at USC and met wonderful people that have become my friends.
What do you hope to do after graduation, and how has being a student in the First-Generation community help set you on that path?
After graduation I hope to get my master’s along with my teaching certification, so I can teach high school social studies. Being a student in the first-gen program has helped me be more confident about living my life and navigating through the struggles of college. I have met countless people with the same background as me and some of those people have become my closest friends. Overall, I am very fortunate for the help the first-gen program has given me — from the directors, the professor and peer leader in my U101 class to the amazing friends I have made. And as a current RA, I hope to tell my residents about the great opportunity that is the first-gen community.