In 2013, Yesis Adkins left her family, friends, and career in Honduras to move to the United States. Eager for a fresh start, she always had a passion for helping people and working with children.
“I graduated with an RN license in my country, but I didn’t want to continue in that career,” said Adkins. “I’ve always had an interest in criminal justice and that’s what made me start looking to go back to college.”
Although it was several years since she last stepped foot in a classroom, Adkins had a desire to continue with her education in the hope of pursuing her passion. She researched several colleges before deciding to enroll at BRCC.
“I searched a lot of schools and I decided to start at BRCC instead of a larger university,” said Adkins. “When I moved to Louisiana in 2019, I think it took me two years to make the decision,and I was like I'm going to give it a try.”
One of the challenges she had to overcome was the uncomfortable feeling of learning the English language. Her lack of confidence was one of the reasons she was hesitant about enrolling in college. Adkins was also concerned about having a support system in place to help her adjust to learning a new culture. She had some difficulties during her first semester due to COVID protocols, which made it hard for her to communicate regularly with other students and faculty. Adkins said she’s thankful for the professors being patient and willing to help, directing her to many resources that BRCC offers.
“In the beginning, it was very stressful because I was kind of afraid to talk to teachers,” said Adkins. “I almost quit the first day of class. I explained the situation with my English and my professors encouraged me to stay and said we’re here and will find help.”
Adkins said being very attentive in class and listening to other students in class has helped her learn English. She stated that she takes additional classes at the church she attends, along with now reading and watching everything in English. Both have been a tremendous help.
Because of a great support system at BRCC, Adkins plans to graduate with an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice in May 2024. She plans to further her education at LSU while continuing to pursue her dreams of helping children by working in the juvenile court system.
“I’ve been having a really good experience at BRCC,” said Adkins. “There’s a lot of help available on campus to assist students. When I’m on campus, it feels like I’m home.”
Although Adkins misses her family and friends back home, she has adjusted well to the unique culture in Louisiana. She said one of her favorite foods to eat now is Crawfish. But what she loves the most is how BRCC celebrates and embraces all the unique cultures of its students.