Student Testimonials
Gonazalo Leon Flores
As a college student in his native country of Mexico, Gonzalo Leon Flores completed a degree in business administration. When he decided to return to school to study accounting he faced a new challenge--at the age of 40 he would not only be older than most typical college students, he would also be attending school in a country where he did not speak the language. Undeterred, Gonzalo started classes at OCC in the Spring of 2006 and found a wonderful support system through the ESL program."I found so many positive things at OCC. All the teachers have great knowledge in the subjects and their experiences and examples are very accurate. And even though we were in an environment with people from so many different cultures and ages learn differently, they were able to teach us all," he said. "Also, the services that were available made a huge difference. The tutor service, the academic counselor service and having instructors and staff to talk to about anything –are all a great help to students. At OCC you don’t just attend class; they really help you become a better person. "
Anna Ryu
Anna Ryu found out about the OCC ESL program from
a former student – her father. Anna’s family came to the United States
from Korea. While Anna attended high school for two years, her father
attended classes at OCC to improve his communication skills. In 2005,
when Anna was ready to go to college she took the MTELP test. Her score
placed her in the highest level of ESL, and required her to take one
semester of ESL before beginning her studies. Disappointed at first,
she now says that that without those classes she knows she would have
had a much harder time beginning her studies for a Liberal Arts associate
degree. She is now almost ready to graduate and is looking to transfer
credits to Eastern Michigan University to pursue a teaching degree.
"I thought that being in the States for two years was enough to learn
English, but now that I am done with the ESL program and am in regular
classes I cannot imagine how I could’ve taken any other classes without
taking ESL first. Those classes completely prepared me," she says. She
credits the academic counselors and student advisor Elise Roman with
helping her personally succeed. "The counselors are the most giving
people, ready to help; And Ms. Roman is like a mother figure to all
international students. She helps students out with everything including
immigration status. She attends students’ family event and becomes part
of their lives."
The ESL program has also given Anna some teaching experience as she
is now working as a supplementary instructor in the very first course
she took at OCC – an ESL writing class. Her experience with the OCC
ESL program has also led Anna to bring five friends to enroll in OCC.
She tells them, “ESL at OCC is so organized and well-developed – if
you want to be successful in your career, you’ve got to come to OCC!"
Enise Kizilaslan
Enise Kizilaslan was a math teacher in her native
country of Turkey. By taking ESL classes at OCC she hopes to pass the
TOEFL exam and continue the career she loves in America.
She looked at other schools for ESL, but chose OCC because of the professional
level of offerings. "I could tell there was a level of quality at OCC,”
she says. “And it has proven true – you do not waste your time at OCC.
You definitely learn how to read and write if you are taking a reading
and writing class, and you definitely learn how to pronounce words if
you take a pronunciation class. The college is very serious about teaching
you English."
Enise’s goal is to apply to a master’s program in education and mathematics
at Eastern Michigan University and teach math once again. OCC is helping
her reach that goal.
"I recommend OCC to all ESL students who want a great academic English
experience and do not want to waste their time. OCC-ESL has very much
helped me in reaching my goals."
Sammy Basaran
Having lived and studied in Turkey, Canada and London,
Sammy Basaran knew his OCC ESL pronunciation teachers would have a challenge.
But what he found was that they were more than willing to help.
"I was a Turkish native who spoke French with a London accent – I was
a mess. But the OCC instructors were very wonderful, they didn’t give
up. Also, the ASE lab was incredible, always willing to give students
like me individual attention."
Every class he took at OCC was intense, he says, but the sense of accomplishment
he feels is tremendous. "I took ESL courses in Canada and it can’t compare
with OCC. The work is hard but there is so much encouragement and they
really make sure you are ready for the next level. It’s very hard for
people who leave their country because they have no support systems,
but you have to take steps and interact and you’ll find the support.
The OCC environment for ESL students is very family-like. I take pride
in being an OCC student."
Pierluigi Erbaggio
For one former OCC ESL student a return trip to his
native country this summer was not just a visit, it was a job.
Pierluigi Erbaggio returned to the city of Torre del Greco, Italy as
a teacher in a summer program offered by Wayne State University. It
was just two years ago that Pierluigi came to the United States. Not
speaking English, and not knowing much about the US college system,
he relied on his girlfriend’s parents’ advice to start at OCC because
of the location and affordable tuition. He excelled in the ESL classes
and after just six months transferred to Wayne State to complete a Master’s
Degree in Italian. Since starting his studies at Wayne, he has worked
part time as an instructor of Italian at the university. He credits
his success with his start at OCC.
"The teachers I had at OCC are incredible individuals," he said. "OCC
also permitted me to work part-time in the bookstore and I found it
very important at that point in my life. I was coming from Italy with
no English skills and it seemed to me I was suddenly living the 'American
dream'. I strongly recommend OCC to other ESL students."
Pierluigi continues
to teach part time at WSU and plans to pursue a Doctorate.
