I wasn’t worried about other hurricanes coming to my country. Hurricane Irma which had hit only a week before Hurricane Maria, didn’t affect most of the Puerto Rican population, it didn’t affect my family or me. But at 6:17pm on September 19, my life changed. From that time, we didn’t have electricity or water in our home anymore. Unfortunately, my family and I didn’t search for a safer place to stay before Hurricane Maria arrived. Consequently, we were terrified, with no hope and no way to escape. We were trapped in our house. My stepmother, my stepmother’s family, my father, my four brothers and I barely closed our eyes the night when it all began. It was scary how it happened. It was as if the hurricane came with anger to destroy our island.

 When everything calmed down I couldn’t resist the urge to cry. I thought my life, my future and everything I had dreamt of since I was a child was done. Most houses were gone or destroyed, and mine was one of the last ones standing. Sadly, most of our plants and animals were destroyed. Even after the hurricane was gone, the days after weren’t the best. We were disconnected from the rest of the world for three days. The mango tree was blocking our way out and we had to survive with whatever we still had in our home. We didn’t have much water to drink, food to eat … and we weren’t able to take a regular shower or even wash our clothes. The situation each day was critical, and I couldn’t start school as I had planned.

After a month of trying to contact my mother who has lived in the United States for nine years or so, I finally got to her. She offered me help and a new life here in Connecticut. And so, I said yes and I moved to Waterbury. Two months passed and still I couldn’t either study or get a job and it seemed like my luck was betraying me. And again, I was losing my hope. But then I started hearing about Naugatuck Valley Community College. Mom told me that four of my cousins including Abigail Ramirez (a well-known student), were enrolled in the same school. So, I thought, why not give it a try?

At the beginning I had no idea of what I was doing. As it would be my first year as a college student I was completely lost. I knew my English wasn’t perfect and that probably I wouldn’t have a chance here. By the time I received my Accuplacer Placement Test results, I was told that I didn’t qualify for most classes for my degree in Marketing for the Spring Semester. But then I heard that NVCC was opening a Winter Session in December 2017 and I decided to give up my holiday vacation to take ESL classes. I want to be a better version of me each day and I’d like to inspire people to not give up. Not matter the situation you’re going through, there’s always a way out. I’m thankful for the assistance I’ve gotten, and that Naugatuck Valley opened its doors to people like me to achieve our dreams and goals. Being in that English as Second Language course this past Wintersession was useful, and I’m excited to continue learning more English through the semester.

No matter how life changes, don’t let your circumstances be an obstacle to become who you want to be as a professional. If you need any guidance or help, Naugatuck Valley Community College is here for you. They’ve helped me, and I know they will help you too. I’ll continue my journey until I complete it. And I know that even from the distance, my father and the rest of my family back in Puerto Rico will be proud of my hard work and who I become. It will not be easy, but the motivation I’ve gotten ever since I came to this college, is more than enough for me to keep on dreaming.