October 1, 2024
Northwest Education Access student story: Carlos Dreams Big
“I never give up. There were times I didn’t want to continue. I wanted to drop the towel, you know. But I kept going forward and forward.” – Carlos, a Northwest Education Access student
Carlos didn’t have the easiest — or the most stable — educational journey. Born in Mexico, he moved often between schools often and even had to repeat 5th grade due to struggles in mathematics. “I’m horrible at math,” he says. “So, because of that, I was getting in trouble with the homework and the exams and all that stuff.”
When Carlos was in middle school, his family moved to Canada. He had to restart again, but this time with the added challenge of learning a new language: “It was hard because the language and the teachers and even the principal said, ‘Don’t worry about the grades or anything, just worry about the English.’ So, that’s what I did. I started learning the language. Took me like a full year for listening and then speaking and then reading it.”
In high school, Carlos moved to the United States. “It was difficult,” he recalls. “I went to many different schools in different countries.”
Carlos graduated from high school as a Super Senior — moving so many times meant he needed an extra year — with the hopes of attending college.
After getting connected to Northwest Education Access, Carlos worked with two Education Advocates who helped him get enrolled in Bellevue College and apply for financial aid. They continued to provide support throughout his time there.
“They always had an answer for me,” he says. “And that’s something that I appreciate.”
Carlos received his Transfer Degree in Arts & Science at Bellevue College in January 2024 and walked across the stage at the ceremony in June. He gives a lot of credit to Northwest Education Access team for their guidance.
“It was nice to have someone who helped me see the way of doing things,” says Carlos. “I swear, if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here right now.”
This fall, Carlos will continue his educational journey at the University of Washington to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Spanish.
“Carlos is such a wonderful person and it’s been a joy being a part of his education journey thus far,” says Erra, one of the Education Advocates who worked with Carlos. “I’m so impressed by his determination and all the hard work he’s put into earning his associate’s degree. I’ve seen Carlos grow so much over the past few years, not only academically but with his confidence and self-advocacy skills as well. He really can do anything he sets out to do—and I’m so happy that he sees that for himself.
“YOU DID IT, Carlos! Next step: UW Seattle!”
Northwest Education Access, which provides comprehensive individualized support to help low-income people build their own path to higher education and beyond, is the featured nonprofit of the 40th annual UW Combined Fund Drive campaign.
You can support Northwest Education Access and more than 4,700 other great organizations in your community and around the world during the UWCFD campaign or throughout the year. Donate or volunteer your time today!
