Due to the forecast of extreme weather, classes and services at Oakton's Des Plaines and Skokie campuses, and the Evanston Health Careers Education Center will be held remotely on Friday, Jan. 23. More Information
Belonging Builds Confidence
When Riya Shah moved from Gujarat, India, she had no idea what college in the U.S. would be like. But she was ready to find out. At Oakton, she jumped in with curiosity and found people who helped her find her way and map out her college path. Now, she’s thriving as a business student at DePaul University and chasing big goals with confidence.
You Don’t Have to Figure it Out Alone
Riya still remembers her first day on campus. “I was nervous and didn’t know where to go, but people kept stopping to ask, ‘Are you okay? Do you need help?’” she said. “That made me feel really welcomed.”
Professors and classmates helped her navigate everything from registering for classes to using the college’s online systems. She took transitional English courses, got a campus job in the Student Center, and figured out how to do research at the Library.
Riya’s confidence grew with each class she took. Speech class was a turning point. “I was shaking on the first day, but my professor told me, ‘Go first and you’ll be less nervous. Just give it your best.’ I did, and I did amazing. I was able to overcome my fear and it made me want to try more new things.”
Feeling at Home
At the same time, Riya was discovering a community that embraced her culture. She celebrated Holi and Diwali with classmates, faculty and staff in the Student Center, where cultural clubs help bring traditions to life on campus. “I felt like even though I was away from home, I was at home,” she said. “That touched my heart.”
What made it even more special was how people outside her culture embraced the experience. “There were students who weren’t from India, but they had joy to learn about the food, the festivals,” she said. “That made me feel welcomed and valued here.”
Discovering a Career in HR
While working at the Student Center, Riya had an “aha” moment. Helping others navigate the same confusion she once felt made her realize how much she loved connecting with people. That led her to consider a career in human resources.
“I love helping people. When I see them with a question mark on their face, I think, ‘I know how that feels!’ Once I started helping with events and talking to students, I realized communication and problem-solving are strengths of mine.”
Prepared to Take on DePaul
By the time she made it to DePaul, Riya wasn’t just prepared academically—she felt ready to take charge of her education.
“Everything I learned at Oakton helped me figure out how college actually works,” she said. "It's smart to go to Oakton to gain confidence before you transfer to a university. You can get started and evaluate yourself and decide what you want to do. And they'll help you find where you should transfer and what you should study. It's hard to figure that out by yourself. But Oakton's here to help you and you will grow step by step.”