Camila Sanchez

Camila Sanchez has accomplished a lot since moving to Colorado from Bogota, Colombia in May 2023. Now 27 years old, Camila is in the final stages of Emily Griffith Technical College’s Cosmetology program, where she has found a way to combine her passion for beauty with the incredible opportunities the College provides.

She came to visit her family in Colorado for an extended stay in 2022, and during that time, a friend of her mom’s told her about Emily Griffith Technical College, and she decided to take English Language Acquisition (ELA) classes for four months. 

At first, Camila thought that improving her English might open doors for her back in Colombia. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management, she returned home, optimistic that the new language skills would improve her job prospects. But reality hit hard. “I hated the job opportunities I was getting,” she said. “The salaries weren’t great, and I just couldn’t find anything that matched what I was hoping for.” With her family still in Colorado, Camila made the life-changing decision to move back and officially settle in the U.S. in 2023.

Upon her return to Colorado, Camila was eager to explore her options at Emily Griffith. With the help of the College’s Vocational Transitions program and guidance from instructors, she decided to enroll in the Cosmetology program. She learned about all the scholarships and financial aid available, and said that made the decision even easier.

In fact, the financial support Camila has received has been instrumental in allowing her to focus on her education. “I got a scholarship that covers my tuition, and the 360 Fund helps with other expenses like parking and gas,” she said. As a full-time student, Camila juggles her coursework while working part-time. “There’s no way I could work full-time with the demands of this program,” she added.

Though the journey has been rewarding, it hasn’t been without challenges. “English has been the hardest part, especially at the beginning,” Camila admits. Even after completing several months of ELA classes, diving into full-time studies with native English speakers presented its own set of difficulties. She said trying to keep up with everything was frustrating at first, but the teachers at Emily Griffith have been really patient, and her classmates—especially the ones who speak Spanish—have been so helpful.

Camila also found support from faculty and staff during the registration process, referring specifically to the Vocational Transitions instructor, Jenny Kunches, who helped her navigate the complexities of enrollment, financial aid, and placement exams. “She really made sure I was ready for the program.”

Set to complete her Cosmetology program at the end of October, Camila is excited to earn her Cosmetology license and continue her journey. She’s already planning her next steps—ideally finding an apprenticeship or internship where she can continue to learn while earning a salary. 

For those considering studying at Emily Griffith, Camila offers simple but heartfelt advice: “There are so many people here that provide information about what to expect, and there’s a lot of financial help available,” she emphasized. Camila herself used drop-in tutoring services at the beginning of her program to boost her confidence.

Camila speaks highly of the Emily Griffith community—teachers, staff, and fellow students alike. “The teachers are patient, and some of my classmates speak Spanish, which has been really helpful,” she says. 

But perhaps most importantly, Camila recognizes the broader impact of the financial support she has received. “It’s not just helping me,” she said. “It’s helping so many of my classmates too. Some of them have kids and need that support to be able to continue their education.”

She believes that donations to the Emily Griffith Foundation are vital, not only for students like her but for the community at large. “It helps the family economy and creates more opportunities for everyone,” Camila said. 

As Camila Sanchez prepares to complete her Cosmetology program and step into the next chapter of her career, she reflects on how far she has come—from a frustrated job seeker in Bogota to a confident, bilingual student in Colorado, ready to launch her Cosmetology career.