Alex’s Background: Less than six months after moving from Brazil to the United States — and 15 years after graduating from high school — Alex dos Santos enrolled at Georgia State’s Perimeter College ready to achieve something he’d always wanted: earning a college degree. Alex had enjoyed a sales and marketing career in the fashion industry in Brazil, but never lost his deep desire to attend college.

His Path: It wasn’t easy enrolling so many years after graduating from high school. Alex credits Perimeter’s faculty and staff — and even fellow students — with making his transition successful. “I’ve had great professors who believed in me since the very beginning,” Santos said. “I worked hard, but I’m also lucky I had good people surrounding me.” As a communications student at Perimeter, Alex stood out. He received four scholarships and was awarded the 2017 International Undergraduate Student of the Year award, a university-wide recognition, particularly for his work mentoring immigrants and refugees who wanted to attend college. He graduated in May 2018.

The Latest: Alex delivered the commencement address at one of Perimeter College’s fall 2018 ceremonies. He’s now gearing up to continue his studies in the United States.

Read Alex’s Recognition as International Student of the Year

Julie’s Background: When Julie Ferguson attended Georgia State’s Perimeter College, she juggled being a wife to her high school sweetheart, mother to their two children and an involved student. She admits there were tough times, but she kept her eyes on the prize: college graduation. “Sometimes things are hard, but you know you can get through it, and it’s totally worth it in the end,” Julie said.

Her Path: Julie worked as a performing artist in New York and aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines before enrolling in Perimeter’s dental hygiene program. “Perimeter had a really good reputation, and I wanted to go to the best school,” she said. Her husband and Perimeter’s faculty were supportive, and classmates helped each other. “If you saw someone struggling, it was like ‘would you like some help?’” Julie said. “We really didn’t want anyone to not succeed.”

The Latest: Julie graduated in 2016 and works at a private dental practice in metro Atlanta. She also volunteers to provide free dental services to the homeless.

Learn more about Georgia State’s student success programs.