Sophomore Andres Gonzalez, 19, was inspired by volunteers and visitors from Lipscomb University to travel more than 2,000 miles to attend school at Lipscomb University.
Gonzalez on swimming day with one of the girls who lives at the City of Children.
A native of Ensenada, Mexico, the third-largest city in the state of Baja California, Gonzalez grew up the son of the Mexican directors of the City of Children, an orphanage for children who have been abused, neglected or who have been taken away from their parents by child protective services.
Gonzalez would often help with tasks at the home to make sure things ran smoothly. While performing those tasks, he came into contact with the people who would inspire his college choice in Nashville, Tenn.
“I knew from a very young age that I wanted to attend Lipscomb,” Gonzalez said. “The people that visited the home from Lipscomb made such an impact on my life, and I knew that Nashville would be a great place for me to get my education.”
Josh Link, an admissions recruiter at Lipscomb University, was one of the key people who encouraged Gonzalez to continue his education here.
“He represented a place that seemed welcoming, enthusiastic and exciting.” Gonzalez said of Link.
Gonzalez translates a lesson from Spanish to English (sporting Lipscomb gear) for an American group visiting the City of Children.
One of his biggest concerns of going to school in a foreign country was the language barrier. He knew that he would be expected to be at the same level speaking, reading and writing English as the average American student.
Having learned English at a young age, and having helped translate at the City since he was six, Gonzalez hoped he could handle the pressure.
“I learned English when I was really young, so it comes as second nature, but sometimes it is difficult to adjust to understanding in the classroom,” Gonzalez said. “Since being here at Lipscomb, it has become easier for me to quickly understand how to succeed in the classroom.”
As for his university choice? Well, he says he made the right one.
“There is nowhere else that I would rather be going to school,” Gonzalez said. “I love it here and I have made some lifelong friends here. I am so thankful for all who made this possible for me.”