My name is Zichen Gong. I’m 25 years old and a proud graduate of Whatcom Community College. Growing up, attending a university wasn’t something I could easily imagine. My family didn’t have the financial resources to make that path a reality. But a connection through one of my teachers, who knew the international director at Whatcom, opened up an unexpected opportunity. Community college became my gateway, not just to education, but to a future I could build on.
At Whatcom, I found an environment that supported my growth. The classes were small, and the instructors were genuinely invested in my learning. I remember how helpful the ESLA (English as a Second Language) program was for me. There were five levels of courses that helped me master English step by step until I was ready for English 101. It wasn’t just about understanding the language. It was about gaining confidence and learning how to express myself in ways I never could before.
Affordability was still a challenge. As an international student, I paid $6,000 per quarter—far less than university costs but still a significant burden. On top of that, textbooks for my engineering courses mostly cost $500 each or even more. I remember trying to budget every dollar, just to make it work. Some of my friends weren’t as lucky. One of my roommates came all the way from Mississippi. He sold everything he owned, his bike, his truck, just to keep up with tuition. But by his second year, he couldn’t manage it anymore. He left school and went back home. I still think about how close he was to finishing, how just a bit more support could have changed his life.
For many students, the first two years of college are a time to explore—to figure out what drives them and what they want to pursue. But that’s hard to do when you’re constantly worried about money. If community college were free, it would unlock those years of exploration without the weight of financial strain. I think about my friends who had to walk away—not because they didn’t want to learn, but because they couldn’t afford to stay. It’s hard to find your path when every quarter comes with a heavy financial burden..
Whatcom gave me a strong foundation, but I know so many more could have thrived if the costs weren’t so high. Free community college wouldn’t just be about affordability, it would be about possibility. It would mean more students finding their passion, staying the course, and building the lives they dream of. I was lucky to make it through. I just wish more people had the same chance.