2020 - Emina Derakovic: ECC provided a sense of belonging

I have spent four years at Elgin Community College, and every step has been an adventure. As an international student from Bosnia and Herzegovina, I started in the intensive English program at ECC, moved onto to complete my Associate of Arts, and now I am completing an Associate of Applied Science in Radiography.

I have had immense support from my family and through this school, from my academic advisor, my professors, tutoring assistance, and both of my program directors. I always tell students to never hesitate to reach out to anyone on campus no matter what their problem may be. Besides my academics, I worked as a student worker in the Office of International Education. Being able to assist my fellow international students who are going through the same transitioning that I went through has been very rewarding.

Being able to pursue a degree in the field of medicine has been a gift that keeps on giving. I will take everything I have learned at ECC and apply it every chance I get. I plan on working in the field of radiology before continuing on with my academics. My ultimate goal is a teaching career in the field of radiation physics. ECC has prepared me for both of these paths by providing me with a sense of belonging in a country that was not my own, shown me that hard work and perseverance leads to results, that there is always someone there that cares, and that no one has to go through their academic life alone.

Emina Derakovic '20

Associate of Applied Science

Bosnia and Herzegovina