Graduate from Peru Lives Up to Challenge of Being an International Student

Yorki Encalada-Egúsquiza came to LCCC from Lima. Not Ohio, Peru. But it’s a trip he’s glad he made.

“I was challenged from my first day of classes here, which encouraged me to keep going and live into the challenge of being an international student at an American school,” Encalada-Egúsquiza said.

The biggest challenge the 23-year-old had to overcome was the language barrier. “I still remember the frustration I felt when reading my English 161 book and realizing that after 30 minutes I was still on the first page of the first chapter,” he said. “I also remember staying up late every night to study and finish my homework.”

But he did overcome it. In fact he improved his English skills so much that he was able to work with the Early College High School students. “This opportunity has encouraged my passion for teaching,” he said. 

Encalada-Egúsquiza, who will graduate in May with an associate’s of arts degree and an associate’s of science degree, first came to Lorain County during December of 2004 in an exchange program. 

“This was during my ‘summer break.’ I was majoring in pharmacy and biochemistry at San Marcos University in Lima,” he said. “But I was not really happy with that.”

His American exchange dad encouraged him to return to the United States and so in July of 2005 he came back and started looking for colleges to attend. He visited LCCC, met with David Arredondo the coordinator of international students and took a tour of the campus.

“I also visited Baldwin Wallace, Kenyon College and Oberlin College, but to be honest I made up my mind that I wanted to attend LCCC after my first visit to its campus,” he said. Many factors like affordable tuition, a wide variety of programs to choose from, the cultural diversity of the student body and the many student clubs helped him decide on LCCC.

“The most important thing though was that LCCC has the University Partnership so I can continue my education here,” he noted.

The Phi Theta Kappa honor student, who will graduate with a 4.0 grade point average, hopes to attend either Ashland University through LCCC’s University Partnership for an education degree or transfer to Oberlin College to pursue a Latin American studies degree. 

After completing his bachelor’s degree Encalada-Egúsquiza would like to work in the U.S. for a while and also earn a master’s degree and eventually “return to Peru and work towards the economic development of my country.”

It seems as though he’ll be up for that challenge.