Navigate Left
  • Newly elected Seth Hernandez, 2024- 25 Sudent Body President

    News

    Fresh faces to lead 2024-25 Student Government Cabinet

  • New Law Legalizes Air Fresheners and Fuzzy Dice for Illinois Drivers

    News

    New Law Legalizes Air Fresheners and Fuzzy Dice for Illinois Drivers

  • ECC Plans to Unveil New Mascot

    News

    ECC Plans to Unveil New Mascot

  • Estudiante accediendo al sitio web FAFSA.gov el 20 de marzo de 2024.

    News

    Students face challenges amidst ‘A Better FAFSA Process’

  • Angela Tovar and Shayndel Valles at the ACP Spring Conference in San Diego.

    News

    The Observer wins national awards at ACP Spring Conference

  • Matthew Bishop and Alberto Mantovano

    Human Interest

    A Very Deep Goodbye for Matthew Bishop

  • The hours for the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office at ECC in Building B.

    News

    What is FAFSA? Financial Aid Overview

  • The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office and TRIO Office at ECC in Building B.

    News

    New FAFSA form available for 2024-2025 school year

  • Student Life Coordinator Gaea Atta Moy works from her office at ECC.

    News

    New Law Guarantees Paid Time Off for All Illinois Residents

  • ECC hosts early voting for Kane County residents March 5-6 outside of Building B.

    News

    Early Voting Underway

Navigate Right
The Student News Site of Elgin Community College

Observer

The Student News Site of Elgin Community College

Observer

The Student News Site of Elgin Community College

Observer

Coach Bill Angelo
ECC Baseball Coach Nears 30th Season

Bill Angelo is entering his 27th season as ECC’s baseball head coach. He has had nearly 820 wins since...

Coach Bill Angelo
ECC Baseball Coach Nears 30th Season

Bill Angelo is entering his 27th season as ECC’s baseball head coach. He has had nearly 820 wins since...

Meet Marco Sebastian Adrianzen Ruiz, an international student from Peru

Second-year+student+Marco+Sebastian+Adrianzen+Ruiz+hands+change+back+to+a+student+on+Sept.+13%2C+2023.
Matt Brady
Second-year student Marco Sebastian Adrianzen Ruiz hands change back to a student on Sept. 13, 2023.

Marco Sebastian Adrianzen Ruiz is a second-year international student at ECC. He is currently pursuing nursing and is looking to transfer to a four-year university in Illinois, with the University of Illinois Chicago being his top choice. 

Before coming to America, Ruiz lived in Lima, Peru. There, he studied nursing at the University of Peru.

Ruiz highlighted the current political issues in Peru as a big reason why he began looking to immigrate. 

“America, Canada, and Australia were my top three choices, but my aunt [in America] helped me decide,” he explains. 

Having family in America helped Ruiz establish himself. 

“My aunt told me that if I go to America, I can go to college nearby and live with her,” he says. “Free food and a place to live without paying rent would really help me [financially]”.

While he originally didn’t know what a community college was, guidance from his aunt and the internet helped Ruiz decide to come to Elgin Community College. 

“Cost was a big part of my decision,” he said. “Looking at the costs for a four-year college and two-year college, it almost felt like a hack to go to ECC over a four-year college.”

The visa application process proved to be a painstaking process. Through the college, Ruiz was able to obtain his F-1 Visa, a visa dedicated to students. Ruiz reflected on the visa process, underscoring the amount of paperwork required. 

“The most stressful part of the visa was the interview,” Ruiz states. “For the interview, I had to speak English, which was difficult because it had been a few years since my last English class. I remember watching people go in, interview, and get their visas denied. I went with a group of 20 people and I watched as they got rejected one by one. When it finally came to me, I was the last one and I was very nervous. I managed to make it through the interview and got my visa approved” 

In July 2022, Ruiz immigrated to America and began his first year at ECC in the fall of 2022. Ruiz emphasized the culture shock he experienced during his first year here.

Through United Stations of All Culture (USAC), an ECC club dedicated to exploring the different cultures of the student body, Ruiz was able to adjust to the newness of American culture. 

“USAC is a great connector for international students,” he said. “When I first came here, it was difficult, but USAC helped me find my way and build a sense of community” 

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All Observer Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *