Author Archives: ourcolleges_admin

I’m from Michoacán, Mexico, and I’ve been living in the U.S. for two years. I came here with one clear goal: to learn English. My background is in Environmental Science, and even in Mexico our professors were clear—the best research, data, and opportunities in this field are in English. If I wanted to grow professionally,Continue reading “Student Story: Margarita Acosta”

Three years ago, I made the decision to get sober, and it completely changed the course of my life. Before then, college was never on my radar—I had dropped out of high school, earned my GED in 2012, and was stuck in a lifestyle that gave me no real future. But through recovery, I foundContinue reading “Student Story: Cristian de la Torre”

I’m a psychology student at Cascadia College, and I chose community college because it just made sense — it’s more affordable and gives me more time to focus on what I love. I wasn’t completely in love with the idea of staying in high school full-time, and this path gave me more freedom to exploreContinue reading “Student Story: Florence Sambisa”

I’m a sophomore at Everett High School, and I stay pretty busy — between volleyball, tennis, and playing the cello in the school orchestra, my days are full. I like challenging myself, so I’m taking AP World History right now, and last year I took AP Environmental Science. I really enjoy learning about how thingsContinue reading “Student Story: Emma Jenkins”

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 atContinue reading “Student Story: Zichen Gong”

At Lincoln High School, I am a sophomore already thinking about what comes next. My passion is in music and the arts, and I dream of pursuing those fields in college—maybe even at Western Washington University, which has a program that inspires me. I also think about becoming a florist or exploring other creative careers.Continue reading “Student Story: William Gutierrez”

After stepping away from school in 2018, I returned to Yakima Valley College in the spring of 2024 because I realized I needed more than temporary jobs to build a stable future. Community college felt like the right step to improve my qualifications and open the door to long-term career opportunities. Today, I am workingContinue reading “Student Story: Angel Badillo”

When I came from overseas to study at Whatcom Community College, it was a dream made possible because my basketball coach recommended it and WCC’s international director visited my city. That moment opened the door for me to pursue both my education and my passion for basketball in the U.S. My goal has always beenContinue reading “Student Story: Wen Gong”

At Yakima Valley College, I am working on my prerequisites for the dental hygiene program, determined to earn my degree and eventually build a career in health care. I chose community college because it was the most affordable path compared to a university, but even with scholarships from YVC Foundation and the Washington State OpportunityContinue reading “Student Story: Adriana Cueva”