By Bella Fricks

At TWU, there are a few international professors, and they each have a different story. Dr. Oskana Gerlits, Dr. Augustin Bocco, and Dr. Ana Barrios all have a unique journey to Tennessee Wesleyan, and their story in higher education is one to hear.

Dr. Oksana Gerlits

Dr. Gerlits, Associate Professor of Chemistry, was born and raised in the Krasnodarskiy region of Russia, and she later moved to Moscow to pursue her undergraduate degree. She moved to Buffalo, NY with her husband in 1999. She received her Ph.D. from the State University of New York (SUNY) in 2000. When asked about the most challenging part of earning her doctorate in the United States, Dr. Gerlits stated that learning English while studying was her biggest challenge.

“I came without knowing a single word in English so that was very difficult.”

Dr. Oksana Gerlits

Dr. Ana Barrios

Dr. Barrios, Associate Professor of Spanish and Study Abroad Coordinator, was born in Matanzas, Cuba, but in 1980 her family moved to Costa Rica, where she received her degree in elementary education. In 1987, her family moved to Windsor, Canada, and she met her husband. In 1990, Dr. Barrios moved to Texas, and by 2008, she was a Tennesseean. She took a 20 year gap upon completing her higher education because she had started a family and she was still in the process of learning English.

“I know my family sacrificed a lot of time with me, and money too, so I’m grateful to them for doing that for me.”

Dr. Ana Barrios

Dr. Augustin Bocco

Dr. Bocco, Associate Professor of French and Coordinator of International Student Services, is originally from Togo, a country in West Africa. He moved to Cleveland, TN in 2000, and he went to Cleveland State Community College. He only took 1-2 evening classes a semester, so it took him several semesters to complete his associates degree. He transferred to Lee University for his bachelor’s degree, and then he was accepted into the University of Tennessee for graduate school. He recalled his ultimate culture shock moment from when he was visiting a Lee University soccer game a saw a friend. She was Haitian, and she had recently gone home to visit family. Dr. Bocco said she must’ve had a great time since she had gained weight since the last time he had seen her.

“It was not a good moment, but I did not know. And I learned that you never, ever tell an American lady that they have gained weight. Even though I meant well, because in my culture, gaining weight is a good thing. It means that you’re living well. You’re living a life of essence. It’s a good thing to look good. If you gain weight, people will say you look good.”

Dr. Augustin Bocco

I asked each professor what challenge they had to face that American born professors did not. Dr. Gerlits said she feels “greyzoned,” meaning she lost her Russian identity when she pursued the United States, but she could never fully be accepted as American. Dr. Barrios stated that many people do not take her seriously because she speaks with an accent; however, she says she may have an advantage of looking similar to her colleagues even though she speaks differently. Dr. Bocco said his challenges revolved around community members rather than on campus. He recalled a time that he was speaking Ewe, a Togo language, with his wife in Walmart with his wife, and a bystander told him he should speak English if he wants to live in America.

These professors, and others, have a unique story to share about their journey to the United States, and how they overcame challenges to achieve their own higher education. They serve as mentors to several students, past and present, and as an example that reaching your goals is possible despite the hardships.

Edited by Emilia Mercado
Photos by Bella Fricks
Graphics by Emilia Mercado