Student Profile: William Chan
Moving from one city to another can be tough as each has its own set of landmarks, customs,and culture. When he moved over 5,000 miles from Brazil to Chicago, IL, William Chan experienced the difficulties of adapting to a new environment; an experience that would help him to achieve major success throughout his life.
At twelve years old, Chan and his family emigrated from Brazil to Chicago to be close to his grandmother, who was especially ill. Upon arriving, Chan instantly felt "lost." He described the moment saying, "when I landed [in the] United States and stepped out of the airplane, I couldn't understand a single word that people were saying...I had to leave my native country and start from scratch. I had to learn and I am still learning the country's culture, etiquettes, places, opportunities, and most importantly the language spoken."
Chan began school shortly after, enrolling in a bilingual class but being placed on a kindergarten level. He missed his friends and struggled to understand the move as he was academically successful back in his native country. But for Chan, these challenges did not stop him. "I didn't give up and I gave myself confidence that one day I will succeed here," he stated. Every day after school, William went home and used books to help him practice his English skills, being promoted quickly in school. By the end of the year, he was no longer in bilingual classes and was starting to feel more at home in Chicago.
As he moved throughout high school, William sought out more challenges enrolling in AP and honors classes, forging friendships, and eventually joining Genesys Works. "When the program started, it wasn't what I expected," describes Chan. However, being in an unfamiliar situation was not new to William and he put his skills back to use.
"I learned that if you put effort into learning and not giving up will make your goal possible." Coupling this mindset with his passion for Information Technology, William embraced the challenges of learning how to navigate a professional environment at Genesys Works. The program helped him to strengthen his communication skills and professionalism, assisting him in breaking out of his comfort zone through speeches and social activities, and, "most importantly, how to succeed in life."
William continues to push himself towards his ultimate goal, to graduate from a four-year university with a degree in Computer Sciences or Engineering Technology.
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