MEET OUR GRADUATES: ESL Classes Led Wilmer to a RIC Degree

Godoy began medical school in his native Guatemala. He attended classes for two years, but due to threats of extortion against his father, the family decided to move to the United States.

“We arrived in Seattle, Washington, in late 2016. I was 21 years old,” he says. “A few months later, we came to Rhode Island because there were better job opportunities here.”

After three years in the country, Godoy’s desire to earn a college degree prompted him to enroll in the ESL Intensive program at Rhode Island College. In this program, students are able to earn college credits while improving their language skills. Now, at age 30, Godoy is set to graduate from RIC with a B.S. degree in health sciences.

“My intention before arriving in the U.S.A. was to get here and continue in the same career path I started in Guatemala,” he says. “My dream was to become a surgeon.”

But not long after, his father became ill and had to return to Guatemala. After his family left, he had to find a full-time job to support himself, which made the transition from ESL classes to earning a bachelor’s degree harder.

Godoy took the initiative to have the transcripts from his previous school in Guatemala translated, notarized and reviewed. Rhode Island College recognized sixty-four credits, placing him on track to enroll at RIC in fall 2020 and begin his degree program.

Godoy found the language barrier challenging, but worked tirelessly to adapt, using translators and other tools.

“It was difficult for me to connect my thoughts and express myself,” he says. “I decided to improve my language skills before taking the more demanding classes. As time passed, I learned to communicate and function better.”

Godoy expresses his love for RIC because, as he says, it is a multiethnic college that helped him adapt to the culture of the United States.

“I consider this to be RIC’s strength. Its diversity helps people feel mentally strong, it helps them feel like they belong here,” he says.

Godoy praises his professors and RIC resources, like the Counseling Center and Learning for Life, for helping him through difficult personal times and for providing career-development skills.

“RIC gave me the necessary tools to ensure my success as a college student,” he says. “The professors at RIC want to see you succeed. Laura [the ESL program coordinator] is exceptional; her good energy is contagious. She supports you and guides you toward success. And Professor Peter Brown encouraged me when I was tired, discouraged and about to drop out; he motivated me to continue. Now that I’m about to graduate, I can say I’m here today thanks to them.”

Godoy will take a year off before starting graduate school. Shortly after arriving in Rhode Island, he was hired by Siemens Healthineers, a medical technology company. Though he had to leave the company for a couple of months to focus on school, he’s now back at Siemens and hopes to secure a position that utilizes everything he learned at RIC. 

For those who are just beginning ESL courses, Godoy suggests being open to meeting people from other places, learning about their cultures and learning about U.S. history and sociofacts.

“Have in mind that it won’t be easy, but if you put your mind to it, the whole journey will be worth it,” he says. “At the end, you’ll see that everything you’ve achieved is an unmatched feeling that can be an example to others.”

Learn more about RIC’s ESL Intensive Program.