When he was young, growing up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Believe Biduaya’s parents bought land and began construction on a new house. Every day, Believe would join his mother and father in an empty field at the site of their soon-to-be home, watching the foundation take shape and their home rise piece by piece. Today, he studies civil engineering at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom.
“I always wanted to do that for other people,” Believe said. “I saw the house going from nothing to something, and I want for other people to have that same feeling I had.”
Before coming to Pierce College, Believe spent his entire life in the DRC. After high school, he started taking English courses through a program at the United States Embassy in the DRC to prepare him for university in the U.S. That’s when a family friend introduced Believe to Pierce College.
“They showed me that the college would be more flexible than a four-year university, and that they had an engineering program,” Believe said. “I’m glad I listened to her. I don’t feel overwhelmed like my friends in university are feeling right now.”
Transitioning to life in the United States was intimidating for Believe. When he first started researching, his family thought he’d be going to Washington, D.C., because that was the only Washington they’d ever heard of. He and his parents found photos of Washington, and after seeing the green landscape full of trees, Believe felt a sense of comfort – Washington state looked very similar to the lush forests and rolling green hills of his home country, and maybe he could like it there.
“My experience at Pierce has really surprised me,” Believe said. “I came to a foreign country, I was expecting to be reserved, to be separate from others. But it opened my eyes to see that we don’t have to come from the same country or speak the same language to be friends or connect with people.”
Believe started at Pierce College in the Intensive English Program alongside international students from around the world. In those English courses, Believe and his classmates would spend time talking and writing in English; but they also created space for a cultural exchange.
“During break, we were teaching each other our native languages,” Believe said. “So, I was also learning a little bit of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. And I connected to other students who are my close friends now.”
Two years into his Pierce College journey, and nearing his graduation, Believe is now serving in Student Government as the Student Engagement Senator at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom in the Office of Student Life. As Senator, Believe has prioritized creating spaces for students to meet and collaborate, especially spaces that create a greater sense of belonging for his fellow international students. One of his favorite projects to work on this year has been creating a meditation room for students to enjoy – which was especially helpful for students observing Ramadan.
“For me it’s been an opportunity to be a voice for international students at Pierce and to show we’re here and want to engage with everyone,” Believe said. “I just want more places on campus where students can come and meet new people, play games, study, and that’s what we’re working on as a team.”
After graduating this winter with his associate degree, Believe plans to transfer to the University of Houston to pursue his bachelor’s degree.
“After that, then I'd like to go back to my country with the knowledge and make changes,” Believe said. “My country has so many resources, we’re just waiting on someone to push through and build what isn’t built yet.”
Through everything, Believe says what’s gotten him through all his endeavors is his never-ending belief in himself.
“Sometimes my colleagues and my friends will make the joke: Oh, you cannot not believe, Believe,” Believe said. “I feel the pressure of always having faith in myself, but also, I'm building that and it’s working. I am rarely stressed; I rarely doubt myself.”
“It’s my name,” Believe said. “I have to believe.”