At MCC, Cambodian Student Is Making His Dreams Come True

Sophorn Soun – from Cambodia and now living in Lowell – wants to take care of his community. He first became interested in healthcare when he was in Cambodia and dreamed of providing people in poor, rural areas with appropriate care. After moving to the United States, he enrolled at Middlesex Community College in the hopes of becoming a nurse in both countries.

Soun became a registered nurse in Cambodia in 2017, before coming to the U.S. He wanted to start working in a hospital in Massachusetts in any capacity, but did not yet speak enough English to feel comfortable doing so. After working with an English Language Learner (ELL) tutor, he enrolled at Middlesex to start taking prerequisites for nursing school.

“My English improved by taking classes and attending a lot of clubs, especially at the Asian Connections Center,” he said. “Last year in September, I saw a position at Lowell General Hospital (LGH) for a greeter. I applied and was accepted. I wanted to work at the hospital and be with other healthcare workers.”

Although working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Soun was happy to continue in his new role. He has been an asset to the hospital as he speaks Khmer and can help patients as a medical interpreter. Through this job and his work study at JumpStart with Middlesex – where he works with children – he has even further improved his English skills.

Being active in the community is important to Soun. This summer, he filmed a PSA as part of a partnership between MCC and Lowell Telemedia Center (LTC) talking in Khmer about the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine. He wanted to reach people who speak his first language to share what he considers to be “critical and life-changing information.”

Soun understands the value of having the right information. During his first semester at MCC, he felt overwhelmed and unaware of the resources the college offered. When meeting with Virak Uy, MCC’s Director of Programs for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA), he was relieved to find someone who spoke his first language. From the conversation, he learned about the Asian Connections Center and all of the resources and people in which it could connect him.

“Before, I didn’t realize there were other Cambodian students here and then there was a lot who I could ask questions and get information,” he said. “They helped me know that Middlesex has a lot of resources to guide me and help me succeed.”

At the Asian Connections Center, Soun participates in activities from open houses to holiday celebrations, workshops on financial aid to study sessions, and events where he teaches and performs the Khmer traditional dance. He enjoys sharing aspects of his own culture, as well as learning from other people.

“As an Art Director in the Asian Students Club, I have a lot of opportunities to learn about different cultures and share my culture with everyone,” he said. “MCC promotes diversity, provides high education, and helps all of the students to accomplish their academic goals.”

Soun tries to do as much as he can to make friends and talk with people to improve his English, including at UMass Lowell where he hopes to one day earn his bachelor’s degree. Being involved around MCC’s campus has also helped him develop into a leader. Although he is shy, from being in the program, he has grown more comfortable and improved his knowledge and skills.

In addition to activities at the Asian Connections Center, Soun is succeeding in his academics. He was recommended by one of his English professors to be an ELL tutor, and as a Liberal Arts and Sciences major, is being exposed to a wide range of classes.

He has enjoyed learning more about English with MCC Professor Willy Ramirez, taking a course on Khmer culture and hearing from a different perspective, and gaining a better understanding of human development from an introduction to psychology class. About his pathway he said, “it’s a good major for someone who is undecided and is preparing to transfer credits.”

After he graduates from Middlesex with his associate degree, Soun is hoping to get accepted into the college’s nursing program. He appreciates the flexibility of being able to choose between day and evening/weekend programs. While he wants to continue working, he also knows that he will have to remain committed to his studies.

From working at LGH, he has already built connections with former and current MCC nursing students. He can ask them questions and get advice on what he can expect from the program.

“The nursing program at Middlesex has good instructors and a high passing rate for the NCLEX,” Soun said. “Middlesex prepares students and when they finish the nursing program, they’re ready to work, and a lot of universities in Massachusetts will accept the transcript.”

In the future, Soun is interested in dividing his time between Cambodia and the United States to work as a nurse and make sure that people in both of his communities get enough care. He wants other students to know that they can make their own dreams come true. Even though it might take some time, he wants them to focus on “doing what you can right now and don’t stop.”

“When I started at another English Learners school, my friend introduced me to Middlesex,” Soun said. “I didn’t think I could go to Middlesex because of my English, but learned I could start learning right away and get financial aid. Now it feels like my second home.”

The Liberal Arts and Sciences program at MCC helps students go into – and succeed in – the workforce or transfer to four-year schools with its award-winning and affordable offerings, small class sizes and flexible schedules. Visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/liberalarts/ for more information and to discover your path at Middlesex.

Featuring flexible course formats and a variety of student support services and resources, MCC is registering now for the Fall 2021 semester. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu or call 1-800-818-3434 to register for classes.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!