Benjamin Eshun

Benjamin Eshun arrived in America three years ago from Ghana with his mother and two siblings. He was enrolled at Pittsfield High School, which he describes as a "culture shock" at first.

"Everything was new, like the way the students carried themselves. The level of discipline and respect when you're addressing a teacher was different in my country," Benjamin says. At first, he interpreted student-teacher interactions as disrespectful, but he realized it was a matter of cultural differences. He also saw differences in educational methodology, compared to what he was accustomed to.

"In Ghana, we go strictly according to what is in the textbook, and so the teachers would make sure that you know everything word for word," he recalls. "That was good to a certain degree, but most of the time, we would cram things without really understanding it. Here, I think they prioritize understanding [the material] more."

While Benjamin found PHS teachers friendly and helpful, he had difficulty forming friendships with his peers. He joined the track team, which he calls "wholesome and nice," but he was only at the high school for one year so he only was able to explore the sport for one season. Still looking for his way, he saw an opportunity when BCC representatives visited the school and explained how easy it is to apply. He had applied to several four-year institutions, including the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, but quickly realized that the financial aid packages they were offering were not nearly enough.

The most financial aid they would supply would cover only half, but then the other half is, like, $20,000. And I do not have $20,000 for that. That's where BCC came in handy.

So, the path became clear: When Benjamin graduated PHS in 2024, he applied to BCC — a process that was far easier for him than trying to navigate the Common App for four-year schools. Now a 21-year-old nursing student, Benjamin hadn't started with that academic plan.

"What I'd wanted is to begin with a natural and physical sciences, and then transfer into pre-med, like a PA program or pharmacy or something health-related," he says. "But then I realized that if you are to get into any of the health-related fields, you will need clinical hours. I am an international student, so I do not have the permission to work here yet. If I go through the education system and I have no clinical experience, I'm going to be stuck."

That's when he made the decision to enroll in the BCC nursing program, where he could fulfill his academic requirements while also getting clinical experience.

"Nursing makes the most sense, because you're going to get all the basic skill sets you need, the skills you'd learn as a pre-med student anyway," says Benjamin, who recently completed his first semester of clinicals and calls the experience "amazing."

"When I was starting, I was kind of nervous about it, because I had no clinical experience," he says, noting that many other students had worked as CNAs or had other clinical experience. "They knew the skills. I did not. It was challenging, so I usually relied on my colleagues, and they were very helpful. Over those few weeks, we developed a bond. It was just beautiful to see how much growth we have all attained."

Benjamin also expresses gratitude to his professors, especially Associate Professor Crystal Kruszyna. "It's how she presents her content. There is some sort of deeper understanding to it," he says. "She presents foreign concepts in a way that you can really understand."

With one semester behind him and three to go, Benjamin is settling into a routine. He has an early-morning job at Patterson Field House, which helps him meet basic expenses, but most of his time is spent on academics.

"The nursing program is a full-time commitment. It's very demanding," says Benjamin, although he did set aside time for another important academic journey: He was accepted into the competitive Melville Fellowship program, where he studied writing under the tutelage of Arrowhead Writer-in-Residence Jana Laiz.

"I like writing, because I can express myself in words. It's hard for me to articulate my words when I'm with someone, but when I'm writing, I can take my time and then make sure that every detail I put in there is exactly how I'm feeling," says Benjamin. "Once I could write, I didn't stop writing." Now, he writes fiction and poetry regularly, something he finds to be a way to offset his rigorous academic studies.

Now that Benjamin is fully immersed in his studies, he offers some words of advice to future students.

I wish I had known that I would have to take prereqs before getting into a two-year nursing program. At the beginning, I thought I would just be here and then straightforward into nursing. The prereqs can take so much time. I was thinking I was only coming here for two years, but now that I'm looking at it, it's going to be like three years.

Once he graduates from BCC, Benjamin plans to transfer to a four-year school to earn a bachelor's degree and continue on the pre-med path, but for now, he expresses gratitude for the help he's received along the way — particularly financial assistance. He has received several NAACP nursing scholarships and a BCC Foundation scholarship, which he credits with being a critical part of funding his education.

"I'm grateful for their help, and I'm also grateful for my advisors and my professors, too. Everyone on campus has been supportive," Benjamin says, adding: "I am especially grateful to my mother for bringing me to the United States and making countless sacrifices to create opportunities for our family. Because of her courage and determination, I have been able to pursue my education, meet incredible people, and take advantage of opportunities that have shaped my future."