FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STUDENT SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT - March 2008

Charles W. Terrell

General Engineering Technology

&

Computer-Aided Drafting and Design

Charles W. Terrell’s long trek from Brazil to the United States and finally on to Danville Community College reads like a comedy of errors and mishaps. The 18-year-old international student who hails from Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro is majoring in General Engineering Technology and Drafting and Design. Terrell recently recounted the story of his journey to Southside Virginia.

He had been studying electricity at the University of Brazil, when his aunt, Marcy Rol of Sutherlin, suggested he come and study in the United States. She offered that he could stay with her and enrolled at DCC.

“It was my first visit to the U.S. I was so excited,” Terrell says. “It would be a miracle for me to arrive on time.”

His first challenge was in getting his I-20 form, which he needed to obtain a student visa. The form, which had to be approved by the DCC Admissions Office along with a letter of acceptance, got lost in the mail and arrived 25 days later. Panicked, Terrell worried he would not receive his visa in time for his travel outside the country.

“I went to the U.S. Embassy (in Rio de Janeiro) and told them my story. What could have taken me 15 days or more to receive my visa, I got it in one and a half hours,” Terrell says. “It was just a miracle.”

After purchasing a last-minute airplane ticket for $2,500, he found he could not travel without the proper authorization. Just before the ticket was to expire, his I-20 form and paperwork arrived. He was finally on his way to the United States – taking his first airplane trip.

At a stopover in Atlanta, GA, on his way to Washington, DC, he discovered he missed his connection after being detained by the U.S. Immigration Services.

“All of my paperwork showed that I was to be in the U.S. three weeks earlier,” he explains. “My English was terrible and I had a hard time understanding what they were saying.”

After a few calls back and forth to DCC’s Admissions Office, which clarified the situation to the Immigration authorities, Terrell was able to board another flight to Washington. Problems arose when he landed at Dulles International Airport, and his aunt and family were waiting for him at Reagan National Airport.

“I had no cell phone and no way to reach my aunt. I just sat there. I couldn’t do anything else,” he remembers.

Finally, after three hours of waiting, his aunt connected with him at Dulles. He then began the 4.5 hour car ride to the Danville area.

By this time, DCC classes had already started and Terrell was two weeks behind his peers. He says he studied hard and had no trouble catching up. His first semester grades proved that since he earned all A’s and one B, with  a 3.55 grade point average. In the spring semester, he is carrying a larger load of classes, 18 credits.

Terrell, whose native language is Portuguese, comes from a city of 110,000 population – much larger than Danville. He says he has accomplished a lot with his English speaking skills in the last six months. Even his friends back home are amazed at his progress.

“They are all surprised that I have improved my English,” he says noting that he took English courses in his Brazilian high school and at the University (of Brazil). “It was not conversational, but more grammar. Most Brazilians can read English, but they may not speak it well.”

Terrell sees lots of differences between the U.S. and Brazil. For starters, he says, Technology is less expensive here. I’m surprised how cheap the computers and laptops are in this country. They cost quite a bit more in Brazil.

“I find that the teachers and professors here at DCC teach because they love it, and they treat you like an adult. In Brazil, in the large classes, they (the professors) are there (it seems) just because of the money,” he continues.

“I went to a large university in South America and it’s a big difference,” he adds. “If you go to a small college like DCC you have everything you need. In a large university, you are just one more.”

Still, he’s here to get an education. After DCC, he wants to transfer to a four-year university and continue his engineering studies.

“I expect to go back to Brazil. I am needed there. They need engineers.  It’s great here and I have enjoyed being here,” he says wistfully. “But I miss my country, my friends and my family.”

For the time being, Terrell is content to enjoy all of his new-found adventures – like seeing snow for the first time; going snow boarding; and visiting the rest of the United States - Washington, DC, Miami Beach, Orlando, New York City, and eventually to the West Coast.

“Each day before I walk out the house I have a sign that says, ‘Why you are here?’ and I have the DCC bill taped to it -- $4,500,” Terrell laughs. “That keeps me focused every time I look at it.”

For more information about DCC’s programs of study, contact Cathy Pulliam, Assistant Coordinator of Recruitment and Enrollment Management, at 434.797.8538, or click here.