Jaquez (centered in the middle row) with his friends in Calexico.
Culture is a vital aspect of individual perception. Brazilian lyricist and novelist Paulo Coelho stated, “Culture makes people understand each other better. And if they understand each other better in their soul, it is easier to overcome … barriers.” The Honors Program at La Sierra University is fortunate to have members from diverse backgrounds willing to share their cultures, furthering this understanding. I had the opportunity to interview Honors students Elva Garcia, a third-year biology student, and Pablo Jaquez, a second-year biomedical student, about their experiences in Calexico.
The conversation began with greetings in Spanish, setting a familiar tone for our discussion. We started by talking about their schedules during their time in Calexico. Garcia attended school there from sixth to 12th grade, while Jaquez attended from second grade through high school. Despite this difference, their schedules were remarkably similar. Both consistently woke up around 4 a.m. and left their homes by 5:30 a.m. to get in line to cross the Mexico-United States border for school.
The process of crossing the border every morning affected Garcia’s and Jaquez’s character; it taught them time management, perseverance, patience, time management and how to find humor in tough situations. “If you didn’t make it to the line by 6:00 a.m., you would likely be late for class,” Garcia explained. While in the early hours of the day, the people crossing the border took the form of a line, people often bunched up over time. This often made the order of people hard to distinguish and sometimes resulted in fights or two- to three-hour wait times. The police presence did little to manage the situation. Frequently, Garcia and Jaquez saw people jump the border and run during school hours, which they described as almost comedic relief. When asked about their current morning routine, they giggled, describing a stark contrast: a 20-minute getting-ready period and a five-minute walk to class.
Now attending La Sierra University in Riverside, California, Garcia and Jaquez find that there are both things that they are glad to be away from and things that they miss in Calexico. Outside of the convenience of living on campus, both Garcia and Jaquez find the freedom of university refreshing. As an example of the stricter environment in Calexico, they mentioned that they were punished for speaking Spanish during school hours, getting write-ups any time that they did. Jaquez, however, fondly remembered “Getting to eat breakfast with friends before class, if you happen to cross the border early enough. Specifically, Jack in the Box breakfast because it was right next to school.” Similarly, Garcia mentioned that she missed “Having people that understand both parts of you, your identity. The bilingual aspect of it all.” She added, “Don’t get me wrong, people here understand me, but they usually don’t relate to the culture, the Spanish, the jokes we tell, the slang we share. They don’t understand us in full. I miss having people that understand my specific and niche humor.”
In that vein, Garcia and Jaquez faced various culture shocks while transitioning from Calexico to La Sierra. They enjoy the diversity and appreciation for culture on campus, as well as the variety of cuisines they are able to try on and off campus. However, the differences in pronunciation and accent in speech were hard to adjust to. Exacerbating that struggle was people correcting them for those differences.
While facing culture shocks, Garcia and Jaquez have found changes in their worldviews. They became proud of their heritage, culture and identity. Furthermore, they feel fortunate to have exchanged parts of their culture with students of different backgrounds, which has in turn expanded their worldviews. In the Honors Program, they were able to enrich conversations through sharing their culture and lived experiences within that culture. Finally, meeting more people who share their political and religious beliefs and are vocal about them has both nuanced and reinforced their worldviews, a gratifying process for Garcia and Jaquez.
The experiences of Garcia and Jaquez highlight the profound impact of cultural diversity and shared heritage on personal development and community understanding. Their journey from Calexico to La Sierra University illustrates the resilience, patience and time management skills honed through their daily border crossings. Despite the challenges they faced, such as language barriers and strict school environments, they found solace and humor in their shared experiences. Their stories underscore the importance of cultural exchange and the value of diverse perspectives within academic settings. As members of the Honors Program, Garcia and Jaquez contribute to a richer, more inclusive learning environment, embodying the essence of culture as a bridge to better understanding. Their narratives remind us that embracing cultural diversity not only enriches our individual lives but also strengthens our collective community.
—Ester Peiro, Class of 2025: Biochemistry/Pre-medicine