Janet Arvizu-Garcia is a fourth-year international affairs and modern languages student from Toomsboro, Georgia. She is also president of the First-Generation Student Organization. For First-Generation Celebration Week (Nov. 4-8), Arvizu-Garcia answered some questions about her journey to Georgia Tech and offered tips for prospective first-generation students.
Arvizu-Garcia and other members of FirstGen will be present at events throughout First-Generation Celebration Week, which include a workshop for first-generation students on how to utilize the Career Center on Nov. 4, the First-Generation Symposium on Nov. 6, and a talk from a first-generation alumna on Nov. 7.
Q: What was your high school experience like?
A: Toomsboro is a very small town, only about 300 people, and very few people ever have the opportunity to leave. I knew from the start that I wanted to go to college, and that was really confirmed when my sister left for college. So, she inspired and encouraged me — I dual enrolled at Georgia Military College for advanced math classes that my high school didn’t have, and I did a lot of extracurriculars.
JROTC, band, Beta Club, and the Science and Engineering Fair were just a few of the things I did. In the Science and Engineering Fair, I ended up competing on the international level, which was one of my favorite memories. Coming from such a small school, it was such a unique opportunity.
Q: How did you decide Tech was going to be the right college for you? And when you got in, was it an immediate “Yes, I’ll go here,” or were you on the fence?
A: It’s funny, but initially I didn’t know what Tech was. I learned about it from friends, and they encouraged me to apply. When I got in, they were also the ones encouraging me to go. And yes, I had made up my mind that I would go when I was accepted.
I had applied elsewhere, but the fact that Tech was in the state, and I could get the Zell Miller Scholarship was very important to me. The other places I applied to were out of state, and I knew that financially, my family and I couldn’t afford that.
Q: How did your parents react?
A: I had to sit down with them and talk through how we were going to pay for it. They asked if I was sure we would be able to cover everything, and if my tuition was really covered by Zell Miller. And I said, yes I’m sure, I’m going to make it work – if I come here, I’ll make ends meet.
Since childhood, I’ve had cancer, and trying to make ends meet was already a struggle, so tuition was an added burden unless I could find scholarships. Right now, I’m working a part-time job with the Athletic Association, and I applied for a lot of local scholarships that are still supporting me. And ultimately, I don’t have to pay very much between the scholarships and working, so I’m able to take that burden off my family.
Q: How did you go about finding those scholarships?
A: Since I’m a first-generation college student, I didn’t really know what a scholarship was. I remember watching a YouTube video that explained it, and that video advised that I apply for local scholarships. National scholarships are great, and they can have huge pools of money, but you also have a lot more competition. So, I looked at local scholarships – like the Middle Georgia Community Foundation, and things like that. I also have a Pell grant.
Q: Speaking of Pell grants, let’s talk about the financial aid process. How was your experience with the FAFSA and other aid applications?
A: On top of me being a first-generation student, my parents are also immigrants, which complicated the process even more. So, it was honestly very difficult, especially because the people around me didn’t necessarily know how to help. I was on calls with service representatives for hours, at times.
Now though, I try and help my friends and other members of my community who are going through it and show them the ropes. I’m happy to help them out, because I know it can be difficult. It’s still important to do, but it is something where you need to give yourself time to do it and start early.
Q: Let’s talk some more about resources for first-generation students at Tech. When you first arrived at Tech, how did you find those resources and make the decision to get involved with the First-Generation Student Organization?
A: My first year here in 2021, the First-Generation Student Organization had some troubles during the pandemic, but First-Generation & Limited Income Student Initiatives, led by Dr. Charmaine Troy, was operating. Dr. Troy sent out an email to see how many students wanted to help revive the student organization.
I was inspired to reply because I wanted to see that community of first-gen students on campus – to hear those stories and talk to people coming from the same background I was. We all know it’s hard for first-gen students, but nobody really understands what that means unless they are one. So, I was seeking connection with people who are struggling with the same things I was, so we could find those helpful resources together.
Q: What kind of resources does the First-Generation Student Organization and First-Generation & Limited Income Student Initiatives provide?
A: My favorite is peer mentoring – we pair upperclassmen with new students, which gives people an assigned person to ask any questions to and help navigate campus. Dr. Troy’s office hours are also helpful – any student can go in there with questions about financial support, how to get through classes, anything.
We also have speakers in our annual Growing Up In Science Event, who were first-generation students, people who have now graduated and work full time, which is useful for professional development and preparedness. Those are always quite helpful and motivational, to hear someone recount their history and have it resonate so deeply with so many of us.
Q: Any tips or advice for incoming students who might be worried about making the adjustment to campus?
A: I struggled a lot with building connections. Because I’m very shy, my advice is that it’s okay to not have made genuine friends the first week. It takes time, so just put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to make yourself a little uncomfortable, because that will take you a long way. Being uncomfortable is not a bad thing!
Full Event Lineup for First-Generation College Celebration Week