From ESL to RN: Kevin Lee’s Journey of Determination and Success

In 2023, Gisang “Kevin” Lee’s parents took jobs at a local factory in Morganton, North Carolina. At 20, Kevin began adjusting to a new language, new friendships, and a very different education system. He brought a strong foundation in English, reading, and a clear desire to keep learning. Although he already had strong English skills, he needed to build greater confidence in everyday conversation while continuing to strengthen his vocabulary and writing.

Within less than two months, Kevin began thinking seriously about how he could continue the academic journey he had started in Korea. Having previously begun college there, he set his sights on pursuing a degree in health care and taking meaningful steps toward that goal. CCR staff worked closely with Allied Health to help him enroll in the Nurse Aide I course while he continued participating in ESL classes. As Kevin moved into this new academic challenge, his vocabulary and conversation goals changed dramatically as he worked to keep pace with the rigor of a Nurse Aide I course taught in English.

Several mornings each week, Kevin attended class or clinicals with Ms. Wendy. On days without Allied Health commitments, he joined Ms. Amy’s morning ESL class. No matter how his day began, he spent his afternoons in the CCR student lounge, carefully writing and reviewing pages of vocabulary connected to that day’s lessons. He sat in the lounge and worked for hours. Kevin often told CCR staff that, in his family, education was his job. His parents worked eight to ten hours a day at a local factory, and he believed he should devote that same time and dedication to his studies.

After completing Nurse Aide I and passing his state exam, Kevin took the next step toward his dream by beginning curriculum classes for Nursing. Even as his schedule became more demanding, he continued to attend ESL classes whenever he could. As a Korean immigrant learning in a second language, courses filled with unfamiliar medical vocabulary required extra time, focus, and persistence. Still, Kevin remained determined to do the work and keep moving forward.

In late 2025, his American support system, mom, dad, and big brother, moved. His brother, also a Western Piedmont ESL and curriculum success story, graduated from NC State and transitioned to Georgia for work with his parents in tow. Kevin stayed behind to complete his nursing degree before moving there as well.

In the Fall of 2025, he began his final two semesters at WPCC while navigating a new job, living alone for the first time, and battling increasingly hard coursework taught in English. Throughout his entire college journey, he had struggled with memorizing and following the instructions given for nursing due to the language differences. He worked much harder than the “traditional” nursing student to obtain a goal he’s had since childhood.

In May, he completed his Associate in Nursing. For the pinning ceremony, he and his parents asked Ms. Amy to do the honors. They indicated that she along with entire CCR crew had made his dream become possible. His GPA reflected the hard work and dedication demonstrated over the last three years. Upon graduating, he moved to Georgia with plans to work while completing the steps to become certified in GA.