Fisher Faces
Student influenced by multiple cultures

Many students learn about culture and diversity at college as they meet students of various backgrounds.  Halyma Boniche, a junior, is one Fisher student who has experienced other cultures first hand. 
“I immigrated here when I was 8 from Nicaragua,” said Boniche.  “First my brother, my dad, and I came and then my mother and my sister because she was a baby.” 
After reuniting, Boniche and her family lived in several different cities before settling in Rochester.  “We actually moved a lot,” said Boniche.  “We lived in New York City and Miami beach.”
After experiencing life in the big city and in the south, Boniche and her family settled near their relatives in Rochester.  “We have a lot of family here,” she said.  “My dad’s side all lives here.”
Coming from a foreign country has always sparked interest in different cultures for Boniche.  She has taken her passion for foreign language into her college coursework. 
“I speak fluent Spanish and I am actually a language minor so I am taking French, German and Italian,” she said.  “Coming from a different country, you pick up language fast.”
Despite her interest in language, Boniche is focusing her career goals on advertising.  “I hope to work in advertising, possibly doing account work,” she said.  Currently, Boniche works at Eagle Cleaners over 20 hours each week. 
The idea of relocating after college and seeing more of the world may be in Boniche’s plans as well.  “I am actually thinking about moving down to Fort Lauderdale or Orlando,” she said.  I have family down there.” 
Although Boniche enjoys the idea of seeing new places, she made the decision to live at home during college and commute to school.  “It (Fisher) was close to home and I had good scholarship opportunities,” she said.  “It is different because you miss out on the whole dorm life.”
Living off campus has not stopped Boniche from engaging in an active social life at Fisher.  She enjoys relaxing and watching movies in her spare time.  “I watch a lot of movies and I have a really weird memory so I remember a lot of the lines,” said Boniche.  “I like foreign films because the story lines are complex and not as commercial.” 
Fashion is another interest that Boniche combines with her interest in culture. 
“I love European fashion,” she said.  “I love anything from Puma.”
Staying connected with her home country and her family culture has also been a priority for Boniche as she has grown up.  “I went back to visit when I was 15 and it was so different,” she said. 

Learning about the differences in culture has been a major life lesson for Boniche.  “My family is so mixed.  I guess it just gives you a different perspective on how people are.”

By Drew Marsherall
anm6553@sjfc.edu