Welcome to another entry in the Student Spotlight Series, where we highlight the journeys of our students through the Intensive English Program. We asked Carlo, who has been with the program for one year, to share his story with us for this edition.
Carlo has had quite a share of new experiences here in Houston. Always one to participate in the social activities offered through the program, Carlo’s time in the Intensive English program has been marked by a host of new friends and discoveries. Keep on reading to find out more about Carlo’s yearlong journey through the Intensive English Program and how it has helped him prepare for the future.
Before setting off on his journey, Carlo’s idea was to find a welcoming, immersive environment where his English skills could truly blossom. In his search, he discovered the Intensive English Program here at Rice.
“I’ve always believed in the importance of expanding my horizons and improving myself,” Carlo said. “I knew the US would be the ideal place because of its cultural diversity and educational opportunities.”
Along with his own personal motivation, Carlo said he also received many words of encouragement from his family during the decision-making process.
“[My family] always emphasized the importance of self-improvement and the value of education,” Carlo told us. “Their belief in my potential and their constant support motivated me to apply and follow through with this goal.”
With all that in mind, Carlo’s decision was easier to make. No stranger to traveling abroad or living alone, he told us, he’d find it quite different here in Houston nonetheless.
“Studying in a new country can be overwhelming at first, especially with a language barrier,” Carlo told us. “When you step out of your comfort zone, you’re not just learning English - you’re learning about yourself [as well].”
After moving overseas from his native Peru, Carlo found that the various parks around Houston offered him a perfect opportunity to clear his mind, relax, and accustom himself to his new surroundings. He spends quite a bit of time strolling through these green havens, such as his favorite, Hermann Park, often reminiscing on things he misses from home.
“[As] Peruvians, [we] are very proud of our cuisine,” Carlo explained. “Here in Houston…you can also find amazing food from all over the world, which makes you miss the food a little less.”
Carlo expressed that, along with his family, pets, and friends, he has also missed some of Peru’s amazing landscapes. Peru offers a bit of everything, from beaches and big cities to mountains and countryside.
“One of the places I’ve visited on several occasions and am always happy to return to is Cusco - it is simply wonderful,” Carlo said. “It is a place with a lot of history…and you can visit Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.”
Speaking again on his time with the Intensive English Program, Carlo told us of the many friends he made through the year. Among them is Junpil, who was featured on our blog last month. Through these new friendships, Carlo even set his sights on a new place to visit in the future: South Korea.
“Looking back at my time in the program, what I’ve enjoyed most is the opportunity to build friendships with people from different parts of the world,” Carlo told us. “I’ve learned so much from our conversations; not only about different perspectives but also about traditions, food, and ways of life that I never knew much about before.”
Being in such a diverse and sprawling city, Carlo found many things to enjoy while living in Houston. On his walks through Hermann Park, Carlo has found not only a relaxing activity, but also an engaging one.
“As an international student from Peru, adjusting to a new language and culture was challenging at first, especially understanding native English speakers with different accents,” Carlo said. “[On my walks], I listen to English music or podcasts…which helps me improve my English listening skills while [I] learn new vocabulary and phrases in an easygoing way.”
Carlo said that, while he practiced pronunciation and conversation with his classmates and teachers, the newly-launched Conversation Partners Program was also a major factor in improving his English.
“Through these conversations, I have…learned idioms and expressions that are not always taught in traditional classes,” Carlo said. “The most valuable aspect of this program has been the opportunity it gave me to talk about interesting and practical topics in a relaxed environment, which has helped me develop language skills in a more natural way.”
Carlo also particularly enjoyed our line dancing activity, which takes place each March in the downstairs lobby of the Anderson-Clarke Center.
“Despite being from different countries, different religions, [and having] different customs, all the students in the program were in the same dance line, sharing and enjoying [it] together,” Carlo recounted.
Carlo told us that his time in the Intensive English Program has been instrumental in shaping and preparing him for the future. He’d like to establish himself as an industrial engineer, which would not have been possible without the dedicated instruction of each teacher he had.
“I aim to pursue a master’s degree in industrial engineering or a related field to further deepen my knowledge and expertise,” Carlo explained. “I would like to work in a leadership or managerial role, where I can apply my skills in industrial engineering to solve complex problems, optimize systems, and drive innovation.”
Carlo had nothing but praise and gratitude to share about the Intensive English Program, saying everyone in the program has been a “fundamental part” of his growth. Certainly, that praise goes both ways.
“Carlo is super sweet and loved by all classmates and teachers,” said one of Carlo’s instructors. “He’s a wonderful student who just loves our ESL program.”
Carlo shared a quote with us which has always stuck with him during life. Growing up, Carlo told us, his mother would always strive to motivate him and prepare him for the future.
“Greatness isn’t just defined by what you achieve, but also about your power to inspire and make a difference in people’s lives,” his mother would tell him.
“Regardless of whether my grades are the best or the worst, since I’ve been in the ESL program, I always try to improve and support my classmates,” Carlo shared. “In our day-to-day lives, we are not only classmates, but also friends [who] always support each other. It’s better when we all move forward and grow together.”
When asked what message he would give to students who are considering coming to Rice to study English, Carlo spoke on embracing the challenge and on not being afraid to make mistakes, which he said are stepping stones to progress.
“Believe me, if you are thinking about coming to study English at Rice University, it will be one of the best investments you will make in your life,” Carlo said. “The community at Rice is so special, and I couldn’t have chosen a better place to study.”
As always, thank you for reading. Please stay tuned for future entries in our Student Spotlight Series and more down the line.
By Hadrian Barbosa