My life changed dramatically for the better the day I began my journey at SLCC. I for several reasons started college late which to some may seem unfortunate for me, starting school at the age I did was a blessing I didn’t even know could exist. I am from Brazil and I did not move to the U.S. until the age of 27, I started college at SLCC at 28 and I am so glad I did. I have come to see that many young adults out there take their time and age for granted, and do not take advantage to the possibilities that are available to you if you finish and obtain a degree as soon as you can to better your future. However for me I did not have a choice but it turned out to be a perfect balance because with SLCC’s amazing schedule they have available, I am able to juggle work, school, and most important my family.
As a foreigner I knew that the task of completing college here without being previously educated in the U.S. I had to rely on the knowledge that I obtained from school back home. High School was many years ago for me now and I have not taken any ESL classes in my pursuit towards my degree and I have been able to carry a decent and acceptable GPA and gain knowledge that I use in my everyday life. Everything that I have learned at SLCC has come in as needed in almost everything I do on a day to day basis.
The classes that I have taken have helped my grades to come, I am more proficient on the computer at work as I am in the Utah Army National Guard and work as an Alpha 92 which is where I take the orders of all supplies needed for the different units here in Utah, order them from the manufacture and insure delivery of the supplies. It is a detail oriented job that requires constant organizational skills and intense brain function to insure all units have their necessary equipment and parts for their different jobs. Along with it helping me at bettering myself at work I have found that I am able to communicate more at ease with others around me and my English comprehension is far beyond anything I ever thought it would be. I never took an English class, everything I know is what I have with great diligence and persistence taught myself. I communicate better in public, dealing with business matters like bills and family finances, and most importantly I communicate better with my wife.
Over all the skills that I have obtained from my experience at SLCC are invaluable to me and a huge part of what has made me the man I am today.Love for the arts in general is most commonly universal but the knowledge of such things is not. Because of the confidence I have gained while going to SLCC I have participated in a Stage Production at the Academy of Performing Arts, I hold a calling at church, and I have decided to take some time to teach myself how to play the piano. I never had the courage to do any of these things before, and now I feel more empowered every day.I am a better husband, father, student, and over Man today because of my experiences at SLCC. I am proud to say that I am gaining an education and have no doubt that I will not stop until I have accomplished all of my long term goals I have set for myself. I will finish school and provide and better way of life for my family and myself.
