What is your hometown?

What colleges did you attend? Degrees earned? Golden West College, Cal State University of Long Beach, Arizona State University
AA Degree, BA, MA

What motivated you to go to college? There are opportunities that I have here in America where I cannot get back home.

Describe your college experience as first-generation. As a first-generation student, I got lost. I started college without much knowledge and guidance that we have now. I ended up taking more units that what I needed because I did not know where to go for help, in a sense of picking out a major.

What unique challenges did you face? The language barrier is my initial challenge. I did not speak the language. I have to adjust to the living condition that is not normal to my hometown.

How did you overcome those challenges? My parents always told me that an education is the key to success. Without it, I will be living my life as though I am at my hometown, and that is not fun. So, I always believe that one day (some day) I will finish school.

What did you advise other first-generation students? You don't give up. You can't give up. It took me 24 years to finish college. I struggled with the English language while growing up in America. My Bachelor was in English. My Master was in MTESOL, with an emphasis in Teaching English to Students of Other Languages.