Building a New Life Through Hard Work and Hope at UEI College
All her life, Jasmin Parmar dreamed of working hard to support her family, but it wasn’t until she discovered the Medical Assistant program at UEI College in Garden Grove that she found a clear path to make it happen.
Originally from India, Jasmin moved with her family to Spain at a young age for her father’s job. There, she learned Spanish and Catalan while attending school.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought serious challenges to her family. Both of her parents lost their jobs, and with so many businesses closed, finding work became nearly impossible. At just 18, Jasmin knew she had to step up and help her family financially.
In 2023, Jasmin and her family had the opportunity to move to the United States to join extended family. However, adjusting to life in America came with its own hurdles. After years of speaking Spanish and Catalan, learning American English was difficult. Jasmin applied for college but was told she would need to wait.
“I wanted to start my studies. I wanted to do something,” she explained. “It was so different and hard. I was having trouble communicating in English and finding work.”
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Eventually, Jasmin discovered UEI College in Garden Grove. Unlike other institutions, UEI was willing to accept her as a student, even though she was new to the country. While she had never envisioned a career in the medical field, the influence of family members working in healthcare inspired her to give it a try.
“I was working but not making enough,” she shared. “The expenses were much more than I was earning. I needed to do something different. I was working part-time and earning minimum wage. In California, everything is so expensive.”
Starting the program was intimidating. Jasmin worried about her limited English skills, but she was overwhelmed by the kindness and support of the UEI staff and instructors.
“I didn’t know how it would go. I only knew basic English, and in stores and everywhere else, people speak fast English,” she said. “At UEI, they spoke in a nice, polite way and explained things to me. The students were also nice. Once I got started, I began to feel comfortable because everyone was so welcoming. It felt like home.”
For Jasmin, the best part of the program was applying what she learned during hands-on lab days.
“We knew we would need to be able to do this work, so it was good to practice and learn that way,” she said.
In June 2023, Jasmin’s family welcomed a new member—her younger sister. With her mother now staying home to care for the baby, Jasmin felt an even stronger sense of responsibility.
“Now with my sister, I have more responsibilities,” she said. “In my life, it has happened so many times that my parents and I had to start over. There are times when you lose everything and feel broken. But I want my sister to know that there is hope, to never give up, and to move forward. You have to hope for good days. You have to work hard and struggle. One day, you will become a successful person.”
Jasmin completed her externship and graduated from the program and is now working full-time..
“I think UEI is the best thing for me,” she said. “It can change my life.”
