Student Highlight: Piyush Bhandari
Piyush Bhandari is an international student at Bakersfield College who has been attending for two and half years and is about to start his second semester of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program. He was born and raised in India, and when he had earned a business administration degree at home, he began looking at college options in the United States. His brother, who lived in Bakersfield, suggested he check out BC as an option to continue his college education. After visiting the campus and connecting with the International Student department, Piyush decided that Bakersfield College was the right place for him.
“I came to the Bakersfield College campus, and it was so welcoming,” says Piyush, “and I just fell in love with the campus.” During his visit to BC, he was connected to the International Student program. “I met Debi (Anderson) and Mirka (Lopez) in the International Student office and they guided me through the admissions process and academic my options,” he says, “they had so many answers – and it was so comforting for me. They are a big reason that I am at Bakersfield College.”
After making the decision to attend BC, Piyush was ready for the next step of his collegiate journey. “As an international student, it can be overwhelming,” says Piyush, “but since day one, the environment was very welcoming. The staff was very helpful, and they had answers for all my questions.” Taking courses in the U.S. presented a different experience than what he was accustomed to, but Piyush enjoyed the new environment. “The classes have been the best part of the college experience,” he says, “the teachers are always helpful, and they assist you in getting all the resources you need. If I need help, I can ask for tutoring. I got a laptop computer to help me study. All these resources made studying really easy for me.”
Piyush received his associate’s degree in biology and then applied to the BC Nursing program. He was accepted into the program after only his first time applying and is now about to start his second semester in the program. His overall experience with his classes has been great, and there is one instructor that he wanted to mention who has been especially attentive and helpful. “Last semester, I had Debra (Kennedy) and she is the best teacher ever, “says Piyush, “she is so professional, yet she is so comforting. You can ask her anything, either about your classes, clinicals or about life – she is going to be there. She even helped me find some books I was having a difficult time getting my hands on. I never had a teacher like her before.”
While his experience with his courses and instructors have been overwhelmingly positive, Piyush has also enjoyed the interaction and competition with his BC classmates. “In the nursing program, it is such a healthy, competitive environment. Everybody is there to support you and check in on you,” he said, “my friends in the program are checking on each other all the time – assignments, deadlines, course work – it is really fun.” He believes that this positive interaction with his classmates has helped him be successful. “We are always talking about our goals, and talking about our exams and assignments,” he says, “these friendships really help. They have helped me grow as a person inside the classroom and outside the classroom.” When asked what was one of his favorite experiences attending Bakersfield College, Piyush was quick to answer, “The teachers. When in college, you spend a lot of time in the classroom and they are always comforting and open to my questions,” he said, “they are routing for you to succeed. The teachers have to be one of the best parts of BC.”
After Bakersfield College, Piyush plans to pursue his Bachelor of Science degree while working at a local hospital and eventually wants to open an elder care facility in Kern County to provide care for senior citizens. He has already provided hundreds of hours of volunteer work at a local senior care facility and has grown to love serving in that environment. “I wish to open my own elderly care facility one day,” he says, “so nursing is helping build my skills and connections to reach that goal. I want to use my skills to give back to that society.” He is excited about the future and believes that Bakersfield College has played an integral part in helping him achieve his goals. “Looking back, I know I made the right decision (to attend BC), I am in the right place at the right time” he said, “I have grown so much as a person. All of these skills that I am learning are going to help me become a great nurse and a productive member of society by providing help for those in need. Bakersfield College has played a huge role in that.”
