Contact: Todd Burns, 277-1816

November 13, 2002 UNM ROOMMATES SHARE TRANSITION FROM SMALL TOWN TO BIG CITY When Carla Medina and Elena Bissell met on the plaza in Taos they never knew they would end up living together in New Mexico’s biggest city. Five years later, Medina and Bissell share the same living space, the same small town past and graduation from the University of New Mexico in May. Medina is from Las Colonias, located between Taos and Taos Ski Valley. During the summer between her junior and senior year of high school, she worked at a Taos tourist shop. “Everyone knows everybody on the plaza if you work there long enough,” said Medina. That is how Medina and Bissell met. Bissell, also, worked on the plaza —selling t-shirts in another tourist shop. Bissell made the trek from her hometown in Peñasco to work in Taos. The following year, Bissell attended Taos High School for a semester with Medina, but decided to return home in Peñasco. Although Medina and Bissell didn’t see each other daily, they maintained a friendship. After graduating from high school, Medina and Bissell, headed south to UNM. They describe the culture shock they encountered. During this time, Medina and Bissell became especially close. To them, a large city with lots of traffic and freeways was almost overwhelming. Medina and Bissell describe their hometowns as friendlier places where everyone knows everyone else. “I got lost a lot, and people weren’t as nice,” said Bissell. “But I was overly sensitive at first.” Medina shares the same experiences as Bissell and admits becoming closer to her mother, Joann Medina, during her small town to big city transition. Medina would call home everyday to talk to her mother. “She is one of my best friends now and I talk to her one, two or sometimes three times a day,” said Medina. “I’ve even learned how to cook over the phone.” Medina and Bissell agree it is good they are together. Bissell said Medina is a good therapist and friend. They acknowledge they are not completely adapted to Albuquerque but things are better. Medina will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in advertising and a minor in economics. “I always knew what I wanted to do,” Medina said. “I just want to be happy, not famous.” Medina was editor of her high school yearbook and always interested in journalism. Currently, She is vice president of the Society of Professional Journalists and a member of the American Advertising Federation. Last year, she wrote and reported for the Daily Lobo, UNM’s student newspaper. She has interviewed with Channel 41 Univision and said the job looks promising. Bissell said she never imagined she would make an impact on other people’s lives the day she found out she received a scholarship. “I jumped up and down in the Peñasco Post Office,” said Bissell after receiving the UNM Presidential Scholarship. Now, she works at the Youth Children’s Health Clinic in the Albuquerque’s Southeast Heights. Bissell, who is bilingual, specializes in community health outreach and teaches English classes to small children. She implements art and play therapy in the pediatric clinic. “I know what it is like to be different,” she said. “I’m a gringa. I was the only blonde hair, blue eyed girl in Peñasco and I know how difficult it can be coming to a big city.” Bissell will graduate with a dual major in anthropology and Spanish. She is currently taking premedical courses and hopes to attend medical school. Her long-term goal is to be a doctor in a small clinic. She says she wants to be doctor for the gratification of helping those in need, not for fame and money. ###

The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981