Boris HIRWA NDENGA

Professor Franco Colombo Russell

ENGL 110

A Journey of Growth Through English Freshman Composition.

As I complete my second semester as a student in the United States, I have come to understand that my Freshman Composition class was among the most essential courses that I have taken. My experience of moving from Rwanda to study in the US as an international student is quite fascinating yet demanding. I moved to the US with great expectations for achieving my goals of getting a degree and creating a bright future for myself, yet being fully aware that this would mean adapting to a completely new educational environment and a new way of learning. Even after spending my second semester in the US, I am still finding it difficult to get used to many aspects related to studies here. From all the classes I took, it is Freshman Composition that has influenced me most significantly.

Prior to attending this class, I viewed writing as a means of putting  down my ideas on a paper without making grammatical errors. Even though I have been composing essays ever since my high school days, I never really comprehended the processes involved when excellent writers compose their pieces. In Freshman Composition, I was introduced to the step-by-step writing process, which involves brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising, and editing. Initially, I thought the entire process was awkward; however, by the end of the semester, I appreciated the significance of each stage. Brainstorming enabled me to develop concepts, while outlining helped organize my ideas. Through revising, I enhanced my arguments’ clarity and effectiveness.

One of the critical things I learned is the ability to write a thesis statement. Previously, before taking this class, I used to write essays without a central point. As such, they were not coherent. From this class, I realized that a thesis statement acts as the foundation of an essay. It presents the core message and gives directions to the reader. After learning how to craft a strong thesis statement, my writing improved in terms of coherence and persuasion. Moreover, I learned the art of crafting a topic sentence for each paragraph, as well as providing examples and evidence to support the thesis statement.

Also, a very important lesson that I learned from this course is the need for revision. Previously, whenever I wrote an essay, I would just finish it and leave it like that. However, with Freshman Composition, I came to learn that revision is one of the most critical aspects of writing. From peer and teacher feedback and self-revisions, I learned how to detect weak points in my arguments, fix my grammatical mistakes, and make my sentences clearer. For me, being an international student, this lesson was particularly important since it made me realize that making mistakes is normal in the process of learning.

Furthermore, the course enabled me to learn academic research and citation. It was initially difficult to grasp since it involved following guidelines on quoting, paraphrasing, citing, and avoiding plagiarism. However, due to the guidance provided by the instructor, coupled with consistent practice, I was able to get used to the idea. At the end of the semester, I became knowledgeable about the importance of attributing quotations and citing authors as well as the need for supporting your work with evidence. This is very important knowledge that I will find invaluable as I venture into higher studies in biomedical engineering.

Additionally, Freshman Composition has contributed to the development of my critical thinking skills. In order to complete the tasks assigned in the course, it was necessary to examine articles, comprehend the points made by their authors, and critically assess the supporting evidence provided. Rather than accepting everything at face value, I started to question things and form my personal opinions on them. This way of thinking is applicable not only when writing essays but in real-life situations as well. Through critical thinking, I became a more autonomous learner and a reflective individual.

Being an international student, the biggest challenge I had to face in the process of education was adjusting myself to the academic environment of the US. The standards for writing papers at college were far higher than I thought. The faculty members required all of their students to develop and defend their own points of view, using facts as supportive material, as well as to compose academic papers in the proper form. Furthermore, English is not my native language, and this was another problem that could negatively affect my writing skills. Nevertheless, due to the lessons in Freshman Composition, everything turned out to be manageable.

Furthermore, this course also allowed me to trust my own voice. At the start of the semester, I was reluctant to give my views on matters because I felt that there were bound to be some mistakes. Nevertheless, I soon realized that being an international student in Rwanda University made me unique. Having grown up in the US, I have had firsthand experiences with culture shocks. The educational system in America is different from that in my native country, thus making my views unique as well. As such, I now understand that I can add my own perspective to essays.

In addition to enhancing my writing skills, the course provided me with vital skills for life. I enhanced my time management skills through drafting and meeting deadlines. I also learned how to receive constructive criticism and use it for self-improvement. I gained patience in terms of improving my work and becoming a better writer. These skills will be useful to me in all areas of my studies and future career life. No matter whether I write research papers, engineering reports, or other kinds of writings, I will find them helpful.

In retrospect, I can say that my second semester in America brought about many changes in my life. The most important one was taking Freshman Composition, which proved not only to be a great writing class but also a class which made it possible for me to adjust even further to the new culture and educational system. I understood that writing is a means of expression, of analyzing facts and communicating with other people. And what is equally significant is that with determination, anything can be achieved.

In conclusion, Freshman Composition has been one of the most eye-opening classes that I have ever attended during my second semester here in America. In addition to enhancing my essay-writing and researching skills, Freshman Composition also improved my critical thinking skills and gave me more confidence as an international student. This class helped me not only learn how to write great papers but also believe in myself and my academic success. Going forward in my college education and working towards my major, Biomedical Engineering, I can only hope to apply my newfound knowledge gained during my time in Freshman Composition.