When Claudia Alejandra Vazquez Ibarra first arrived to the U.S. from Mexico, she was determined to learn English. Claudia originally went to Skyline College to enroll in English classes, however she was informed the college only had English Levels 3 and above, and Claudia had low-to-no English knowledge. It was then that she was referred to South San Francisco Adult Education and began taking Level 1 English classes in fall 2016.
At South San Francisco Adult Education, Claudia found a place where she felt “comfortable and supported” and was able to build her confidence. Like many others, Claudia’s initial goal was simply to improve her English to better adapt to life in the U.S. and get a job. However, one day her class took a field trip to Skyline College and that sparked Claudia’s interest and motivation to transition to Skyline College and continue her education.
She was informed of the educational opportunities available and encouraged by her teacher to persist, which she did. With hard work and dedication, Claudia was able to transition to Skyline College in the fall 2018. The transition navigator and coordinator assisted Claudia in enrolling at the college and connecting her with support services. Claudia is now a full-time student taking 14 units worth of transferable courses at Skyline College and is receiving financial aid assistance, as well as support from EOPS and Upwards Scholars.
Additionally, Claudia balances her schoolwork with three jobs, two of which are on the college campus. Currently Claudia works in the Learning Center as a peer mentor and a student assistant during the week and works retail on the weekends. When asked how she manages such a busy schedule, Claudia states that organization is key, as well as self-care. Claudia also describes how all the resources on campus have helped her be successful, including the career center for resume help, tutors and mentors. In fact, her top advice to students coming in would be to “ask questions and don’t be shy.” Claudia is currently pursuing a major in psychology with plans to transfer to a four-year university to earn her bachelor’s degree.
