Errole Guiterrez
What
was your attitude about college as you entered Highline? What was your
motivation for entering school? What was your former education experience?
Coming from a conservative family, my attitude towards college was that I have to attend college, get a degree, and have a brighter future. That concept was engraved in my mind long before I started school. My parents established a college fund for my brothers and I when we were still in kindergarten. So I guess college for me was something I knew I‘d be attending, unlike to some, college wasn’t an option for me and it’s something I have to do. But my motivation for going to college wasn’t because I was forced to attend college, but because I wanted to go to college. Not for anybody else but for myself. Most of my educational experience occurred in the Philippines. I attended kindergarten, elementary, high school and two years of college in the Philippines before I transferred to Highline Community College here in the United States.
What cultural or economic obstacles did you face? Were there certain expectations at home? From your group of friends? Who did you know that had graduated from college?
There were some incidents where some of my cultural attitudes, beliefs and behavior were kind of unaccepted and inappropriate. It was embarrassing and humiliating whenever that happens. It was never a hindrance for me though, I saw it as a challenge not a weakness. I used those circumstances as examples for my own learning advantage, so next time I encounter that situation; I know how to act properly. I overcame my fear of rejection and humiliation by admitting my mistakes and being humble about it. People make mistakes and people should learn from those mistakes. There were also economic obstacles that came to my way when I was going to Highline Community College especially because around that time when I went to HCC to pursue my college degree, the economy at South East Asia was beginning to become unstable. Though my family have a good source for residual income back home, I was worried that my coming here would put a strain on that flow of income. My parents assured me though that they will be behind me all the time and will be there to support me through out my years in college. There were expectations, though they weren’t as high. My parents believed in my capabilities of surviving life. I was a vivacious child. I always wanted to explore new things, go to different places. I wasn’t contended of a boring typical life. My parents saw that in me, and they knew that I wouldn’t be living a boring life once I grow up. Expectations from friends weren’t much except for my best friend. She keeps bugging me that I must have this GPA every time so we’re on the same level. My best friend is taking Political Science in the Philippines and she’s a scholar at the University of the Philippines for three consecutive years. She’s supposed to graduate this year and will be taking her masters right after that here in the United States. Three of my half brothers and my half sister already graduated and are all professionals. They are in New York, Hong Kong and Germany practicing their degrees. My oldest brother graduated with an Accounting and Business degree. And he’s in the Philippines taking care of my dad’s business.
If you can think one moment, one time here at Highline when something “clicked” for you – could you describe it/ Tell me the story of a particular moment/incident/activity/reading when you felt “connected” to your academic life.
At Highline, nothing really clicked right away. Especially my first quarter. It was really hard not knowing anybody. I got really bored and wanted to drop out and go back home. But it wasn’t long when I met new friends and life kind of became more exciting. I’m a very social person; so making friends wasn’t really hard to do. I was shy but I grew over it. I didn’t become very active in the HCC activities until my second year, when I became President of the Multicultural club. It was a really awesome, great, wonderful experience. I have a lot of accomplishments. Personally, I believe I became a better and more mature individual. I learned a lot of new things. I became more sensitive with my surroundings. I established a more professional attitude towards life and towards my goals and visions. Academically, I learned a lot of new things. I’ve expanded my vocabulary and my knowledge of the “High-Tech” industry.
I am a graphic designer at a Printing Shop in downtown, Seattle. I also work part time at night at a restaurant in Chinatown. I am married with one wonderful son. I always tell this to some of my friends who are still in college … “ Success is not when you get a 4.0 GPA and graduated valedictorian in your class. Success is not about the amount of money in your pocket. Success is when you’re driving a 2001 Concept McLaren F1 on Top speed in the freeway. Seriously though, success is when you reach your accomplished dream, and have reached your goals, but still strive to do better. That mindset is sure to prosper no matter what. Success should be in our hearts not in our brains because our goals should always be their and our dreams real.
Success like knowledge is never constant. It changes, it expands, and it becomes an addiction to strive for the better way of life.
