SWC News Center
Navigating the Unknown: A Latino Student's Journey Through Higher Education
By: Kevin Vizcarra - June 12, 2025
I was born in National City, United States of America (U.S.A.), but due to my family’s circumstances, I spent my entire childhood and adolescence in Tijuana, México. I grew up immersed in Mexican culture, convinced my life would remain there, surrounded by friends, my volleyball club, and a comfortable community. However, my parents had other plans—they envisioned me pursuing higher education in the U.S.A., forcing me to leave behind everything familiar.
The transition was challenging. Moving to a country with a different culture. Arriving at a school where I struggled to understand classes due to language barriers. Feeling unwelcome by my peers. Making the transition during my senior year, when I should have been enjoying my final high school moments with lifelong friends. The experience of leaving all of that behind was harder than I expected, tough to accept, and emotionally jarring.
Moreover, I received very little guidance about the college process in high school. When I spoke to my counselor about applying to universities I aspired to attend, he simply laughed and said, “You'll end up at a community college. There's a workshop about Southwestern College (SWC) tomorrow, go there so you can enroll.” Because he saw me as someone from a different environment, he did not believe I could qualify for a four-year university. Unfortunately, being unfamiliar with the American education system, I felt I had no choice but to follow his advice.
That feeling of helplessness, coupled with the frustration of not speaking fluent English, became a turning point. It motivated me the following semester to apply for a job and participate in several school clubs, including volleyball, soccer, and Spanish-speaking communities. I realized that if I did not advocate for myself, no one else would. My future depended entirely on how hard I was willing to work for it, and this realization profoundly shaped the person I am today.
After graduating from high school, I enrolled at SWC, initially with mixed feelings, believing I could have done better. However, I soon realized this was the best decision I could have made for my higher education. At SWC, I discovered Puente, a community-focused program for Latino students. Puente supports first-generation college students through the transfer process, something I had not fully considered before. Although I always intended to transfer to a four-year university. Puente helped me dream bigger. They organized visits to various universities across the state, offering valuable insights into what each university sought in students and the opportunities they provided. These experiences inspired me greatly.
I am motivated to gain a deeper understanding of university systems and strengthen my resume for transfer applications. I became increasingly involved on campus. Over time, I became the Secretary for the Puente Club and secured a job in the Equity Department, where I now help students just like myself. These students arrive with little guidance or support, feeling overwhelmed by a system they do not fully understand. I find immense fulfillment in assisting them because I see myself in their struggles. I know firsthand how difficult it is to adapt to a new educational environment where navigating the system without support can feel nearly impossible.
I am balancing my academics as a Mechanical Engineering major with my responsibilities as an employee at In-N-Out. Each experience has taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance, time management, and the importance of self-advocacy.
Looking ahead, I eagerly anticipate applying this fall to those very universities I once dreamed of attending. Though my high school counselor initially discouraged me, today, thanks to SWC and Puente, I confidently envision attending a prestigious engineering program at a top-tier university. My main goal is to get into the mechanical engineering program at the University of California in San Diego. The resources and support I found here have rekindled my dreams, and I now see clearly that the future I once doubted is within my reach.
My journey mirrors the broader experience of many Latino students who face cultural isolation, limited guidance, and harmful stereotypes in higher education. But one truth I have learned is that sometimes, the hardest part of changing our circumstances is simply taking the first step. We have to recognize that acting for a better future, claiming our space and opportunities, is something only we can do. No one is going to do it for us. Through resilience, support, and the courage to take initiative, we can not only overcome the barriers in front of us but also rise above them and thrive.