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About Zhanna Soushko

Student Support Services Program
Speech given by Zhanna Soushko at the
SSSP Awards Ceremony on May 4, 2004

Zhanna Soushko


Good afternoon, dear guests, President Williams, faculty and staff, and fellow students!

I am very happy and honored to speak in front of you today. It gives me a chance to say publicly about all the great things the Student Support Service Program has done for me and all the students.
Like many immigrants, I came to the United States in search of better opportunities. And I think that this is exactly what the Student Support Service Program gave me – opportunity: 

  • Opportunity to receive one-on-one assistance in any course;
  • Opportunity to become a leader and a tutor;
  • Opportunity to get financial assistance with the help of people like Dr. Zitrin;
  • Opportunity to have free preparation for the Graduate School exam;
  • And even an opportunity to have fun and travel to historical places for educational trips.
I want to thank all the counselors of our program for being there on us any time we need you.

I also want to use this chance to address all the students in our program. The majority of you are immigrants like I am, or were born in the families of immigrants. The majority of you came from the law-income families and have to struggle to support yourself throughout your academic career.  The majority of you still feel, time to time, that your proficiency in English is not as good as of native speakers. And I know that there are classes that are hard to understand even in your first language, and they seem to be absolutely incomprehensible in the second or third language.
 
I’ve heard a lot of stories of disappointment from my tutees in the program. Nevertheless, I want to ask you not to put artificial barriers in front of you. Don’t tell to yourself that you cannot do something because you don’t have money, or connections, or a diploma from Harvard.

Think of what you want from your life. Define goals. And pursue your goals.
Explore every opportunity offered by the Student Support Service Program and by the City College of New York.

Don’t be ashamed to ask for help. To help students like you is the ultimate purpose of our program. This is why it was named The Students Support Services Program. All our counselors and tutors are here to support you. People like Dr. Zitrin are here to support you.

I cannot thank you enough for that, Dr. Zitrin!

And I am not trying to tell you that everything will be easy for you. It has never been easy for me. I came to this country 4 years ago without my family and without knowing anybody here. I had $100 in my pocket at the moment, and I must confess that I am still struggling. I had to work hard like many of you had. When I came to this country, I could barely communicate in English. And there is a possibility that I will never be able to read as fast as a native speaker:
  • Did that prevent me from studying hard? No.
  • Did that prevent me from having 4.0 GPA? No.
  • Did that prevent me from being accepted into PhD program with full funding? No.

And I know that if I truly put my mind and my heart into something, I will succeed. And so will you. Just follow your dream!

And let me thank President Williams and Dr. Zitrin for supporting our program. I can assure you, Dr. Zitrin, that without your help I would not be able to concentrate on my studies as much as I needed to, I would not have money for applying to graduate schools, and I would not have money for all the books needed.

Your help meant so much to me.

Please, continue to support our students in future.

Thank you all for coming here.
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Last updated: May 18, 2004  
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