When Jamson Donatien first came to QCC, his goal was clear: to build a future in healthcare and ultimately become a therapist. His journey at the college, like many others, is beginning with the pursuit of English fluency.
“I’m learning new things and improving my English,” Jamson shared.
His determination is fueled by his family: his wife, a proud QCC alum, and their two young children. Together, they enjoy playing soccer and football, and Jamson often practices English with them at home. He also uses music and podcasts to strengthen his language skills.
Jamson speaks Portuguese, Haitian Creole, French, and Spanish, but mastering English is key to achieving his dream.
“It’s not easy, but if you focus, you get better. Don’t be afraid to speak. Just try,” Jamson advised other multilingual learners.
Jamson’s persistence was evident from the start. He attended an open registration session in July to inquire about the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program. After taking the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE), his score wasn’t quite high enough for the accelerated CCMA course. Instead of seeing this as a setback, Jamson embraced the opportunity to enroll in QCC’s Foundations in Healthcare course, which is a bridge program designed to prepare students for CCMA and CNA programs.
Since September, Jamson has thrived. He has earned high marks on assignments, scored near 100% on all exams, and never missed a class. His English skills have improved dramatically, and he is on track to retake the TABE in January with confidence.
"James exemplifies self-motivation, professionalism, and I am honored to witness his achievements," said Healthcare Educator and Program Manager Keri Kiefer. "I am confident that he will succeed in the course- and in his healthcare journey."
Jamson's resilience, hard work, and commitment to lifelong learning are what student success looks like at QCC. With his sights set on healthcare and helping others, there’s no doubt Jamson will achieve his goals and inspire others along the way.