Alumni Profile

Alberto Salvador Alcantar

TIES Program Alumni from Guanajuato, Mexico

Alberto at Work

Many doors are closed for youth, who like me, have some kind of physical disability- from accessing elementary education to finding gainful employment.  In order to advance in my life, I was faced with many barriers that I surpassed thanks to my desire to study and the support of my family. Since I was a child, I’ve always wanted to attend elementary school, but they would not allow me to enroll because of my hearing disability.  We tried to find an institution that would accept me, but always were turned down.  When I would see the children go to the school around the corner from my house, I would feel very frustrated and ask “why can’t I go”.  On several occasions I sneaked into classrooms; but when teachers realized that I was there, they would send me straight home.  I had to wait four years until my little brother enrolled in elementary school, so that I could attend as a companion.  When they finally realized my eagerness to learn and the level of my abilities, they let me attend primary school. 

When I was ready for high school, my family fell on very difficult economic times and they decided that I really did not need to continue my studies. Thanks to my efforts and good grades and that of my teachers who obtained a scholarship for me, we were able to convince my parents of the importance of education for someone with a hearing disability.  I completed high school with honors for outstanding academic performance.  I was not satisfied there; I wanted to prepare myself further.  But in my State of Guanajuato, there were no higher education institutions for deaf youth.  Fortunately, I was awarded this scholarship to study a technical degree in the United States for two years. 

This has been the best experience in my life. I went from being protected by my family and without any possibilities of obtaining a degree, to being a competent, independent computer technician with leadership skills and desires to help my community.  The abilities that I acquired at Mount Aloysius Community College in Pennsylvania have opened many doors in my community.  I am a productive member of my community; I am now working in a company applying skill gained and am also vice-president of the Deaf Association, where I help other deaf youth from rural, poor areas.  I want to be an example for them of someone who was able to excel!