Colombian grandmother, 79, learns english and graduates college
Rosa Salgado proves you’re never too old to learn a new trick or two.
The 79-year-old grandmother graduated from Miami Dade College on Saturday, alongside her two grandchildren David and Mauricio.
The petite, Colombian woman with an infectious smile began her studies in 1995, originally learning English so she could study more.
This week she claimed her diploma with honours, in education.
“My grandchildren, my family, they’ve grown up watching my activity and they are going to learn and fight in life and overcome obstacles,” Salgado said.
Former professor Sara Bulnes said Salgado’s grasp of English was still limited, but her drive to learn was not.
“When she came into my classroom her English was very limited and she struggled to learn the language, but she persevered,” Prof. Bulnes said.
The grandmother has become an inspiration to many students at the college, known for her cheerful demeanor and dedication despite her obstacles.
“She had some personal setbacks and she beat them all and she’s here graduating,” Bulnes told The Miami Herald.
“I’m very proud of her.”
It’s been a long road to graduation for Mrs Salgado.
She had to put her studies on hold and limit her coursework on various occasions to put her family first.
In 2005 her daughter was in an accident, which left her in a coma.
While studying Mrs Salgado worked in the college’s Early Childhood Centre, caring for toddlers and infants.
“I’m so happy when I’m working with the infants,” she said.
While she wasn’t sure what her future held she hoped to continue her studies but financial burden and physical toll had made things difficult.
“It’s difficult to study because I don’t have the money and I have to take care of my health,” she said.
The Institute for College Access and Success report found 70 percent of 2013 graduates in the US left with close to $30,000 in debt.
Despite this, Mrs Salgado encouraged people to learn as much as they could.
“I would say to students, young, old or in the middle, that every day they have to fight to learn because learning is wonderful,” Salgado said.
“And I know there are a lot of things I still have to learn.”
News break - May 7
