Hope for the Future
English language learner talks to HCC Board of Trustees
EDITOR'S NOTE: Jodie de Alencar, 37, is a student in HCC's Transition to College and Careers program. He delivered the following remarks to the HCC Board of Trustees on Tuesday, April 22.
By JODIE de ALENCAR
'I left Brazil in September 2019 searching for a better life in the United States. My English language and communication skills were limited, and I knew I needed to work on these skills to be successful living here. Fortunately, I discovered HCC’s Ludlow Area Adult Center (LAALC) and started English classes there.
This was one of the most important decisions I made. As I developed my English skills, I lost my fear of having conversations and felt more confident speaking in public.
While at LAALC, I started a book club with the help of my teacher Barbara Bradbury. My goal was to help other students improve their reading skills. Participating in the book club and working with my classmates and seeing the progress we made as a class was an inspiration that we all celebrated together. I had the honor of receiving the LAALC Community Spirit Award.
In October 2024, I was accepted in the program to study to be a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at HCC. I was grateful to have the opportunity to be in a program where I could learn a great profession. I had the pleasure of being surrounded by wonderful people who shared every day their experiences, cultures, and stories of their lives. They made me feel welcomed and part of a family. I had the privilege and honor of being nominated by my classmates as president of the class. If that was not enough, I was also nominated to be a student ambassador by my teacher and advisor, Carol Huber.
I truly feel blessed for this opportunity. I also felt honored working with Claralee James, who is a great teacher, friend, professional and beautiful human. I really appreciate them all for their efforts to make all the information we studied in our classes understandable.
Right after graduating from the CNA program, I started the Transition to College and Career program at HCC. I had the pleasure of working with Crysta Ascolillo and other amazing teachers. They were so kind and helpful with me. My limitations in math didn’t bother me much because my teacher, Solomon, is amazing. Even this speech was possible for me because of my teacher, Rand Foster.
I came to HCC because I believe we as immigrants are trying our best daily to make our lives better by improving our skills and learning new professions – not working alone but working together so we can achieve our goals together, helping each other, encouraging each other, sharing our burdens to try to make our journey enjoyable and fulfilled with brothers and sisters from different backgrounds and countries.
Gratefully, we all are welcomed here at HCC. The staff, professionals, and students, American born or from other nations, all give us support. They see us as human beings and they also give us hope of a future where we can be whomever we want to be.
This is the best part of my journey at HCC. I’ve been learning about myself and what I am capable of. I am achieving things that I didn’t think I could achieve. I find strength when I start losing faith and confidence in myself. It surprises me that so many people look at me and think beautiful and wonderful things about me that I couldn’t recognize myself. This gives me the confidence I need.
HCC has been a second home for me in the United States. The college is always working on the best way possible to help and support the immigrant community with no judgment. All the teachers and staff show empathy in these hard times we are living.
My future goal is getting my college education and degree, developing my career and helping other immigrants who, like me back in 2019, can’t see themselves as a part of this amazing community.
When people say I am brave and I have no fear, I accept that, but I can’t agree, because fear is real and intimidates me. However, I do not allow myself to be stopped by a feeling that is nothing compared with my faith, my belief, and all love I’ve been receiving from HCC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I am committed to making sure that all the people I can talk to will fulfill the spark of joy, self-esteem, confidence, hope and brotherhood that I felt and still feel. That is the only way I can pay back the affection, dedication, and encouragement that I have received from HCC staff and classmates. My participation in English classes in the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program has been instrumental to my success."
PHOTO: Jodie de Alencar
