My name is Nathan Acosta, I am majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Informatics while also enrolling in classes for the Cyber Operations program.

I graduated in May 2021 and will hopefully get the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree. After that, I plan to work developing software applications or maybe even become a professor down the line. I am an international student from Mexico, and I began studying at Cochise College a few years ago. I graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science and managed to be on the President’s List. I believe computer science will give me the necessary tools to succeed in this ever-growing technological world we live in.

Throughout my academic career, I faced many hardships. I began my studies in the U.S. just after the most recent governmental elections. Being an international student in the current administration can make things scary with all the increasing regulations and restrictions they are adding to student visas. However, I’ve learned that despite that fear, I can overcome my obstacles with the help of this community. Before transferring, I was not sure if I would even get a chance to continue my education. I was faced with the incredibly high out-of-state tuition rate, and due to my student visa, there was almost no type of financial aid available. Thankfully, my brother and I got the Sonora-Arizona scholarship, which allows a very limited number of students from Sonora, Mexico, to get the resident tuition rate in Arizona. During my stay at Cochise College, I met a lot of wonderful professors, academic advisors, staff and other foreign students. Getting to know them and learn their stories made my first years of college an enriching experience. The faculty helped me strengthen my problem-solving and critical-thinking skills and got me to understand concepts that I had never even imagined. Overall, I learned that with solid goals and a strong determination, any obstacle that might seem impossible can be overcome.

Now that my brother and I have transitioned to the University of Arizona, some of the people I met at Cochise College are still part of my journey. During my first experiences at the University of Arizona, I got to meet some amazing individuals. The community we have here inspires me to move forward. The rich and diverse culture between the neighboring communities brings an experience that I believe is unique to our region. My plan is to learn even more valuable skills to help me now and in the future.