HOUSTON (June 26, 2019) “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”  Robert Frost

For recent Lone Star College graduate and international student, Jane Lim Jing Ting, this powerful quote from Robert Frost has served as inspiration, motivation and an overall driving force for most of her life.

Lim took her own “road less traveled” when she came some 10,000 miles from Malaysia to Houston to enroll in classes at LSC-University Park. Upon arrival however, she found there was still the small matter of overcoming a language barrier, embracing the stress associated with starting school in a foreign country and facing the challenge of creating a new dream and plan for her life.

Prior to her international move, Lim had put her academic pursuits on hold due to her family’s financial circumstances, leaving her frustrated, helpless and hopeless. Fortunately, her extended family, who had moved to Houston 40 years prior, invited Lim to study in America. More importantly, Lim’s family provided her with an introduction to LSC-University Park. She cited the school’s flexibility, affordability as well as dedicated faculty and staff for helping students find their path to success. Today, Lim strongly believes that this journey enabled her to become more responsible, more mature and to become an overall stronger woman.

“LSC-University Park is the community’s college,” said Dr. Shah Ardalan, LSC-University Park president.   “We aim to create a welcoming and empowering environment for students from all walks of life. We are very proud of Jane’s accomplishments both inside and outside the classroom. She has truly flourished in the LSC-University Park environment."

In spring 2018, after one semester and empowered with a letter of recommendation from her biology professor, Lim was invited to join the Honors College at LSC-University Park. This move proved to be a game changer. In the Honors College, she thrived, receiving a scholarship each semester through graduation and becoming part of a community of like-minded, high-achieving students.

Lim was further encouraged to get involved with LSC-University Park’s Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) chapter. She used her drive to revive the chapter and help elevate it to the next chapter.

By March 2019, HOSA successfully competed against 3,500 students at the annual Texas HOSA Future Health Professionals State Leadership Conference in San Antonio. With multiple victories, the chapter became eligible for honors at HOSA’s international competition, which took place earlier this month in Orlando, Fla.

The LSC-University team triumphed at the international competition with a first place victory in the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) partnership postsecondary category. They also received a fifth-place finish in nutrition and placed among the top 10 in the medical math categories. Along with the medals and trophy, each student received $250 in scholarship money.

Lim plans to transfer to the University of Houston, where she has been awarded a Transfer Excellence Scholarship. She plans to earn a bachelor’s degree and doctoral degree to embark on a career as a dentist.

Upon reflecting on her own journey and desire to give back to the community, Lim plans to assist other international students who find themselves in need of direction, encouragement, and financial aid. She acknowledges that it was LSC-University Park’s caring and compassionate faculty who ensured her success on campus as well as helped her to gain momentum on the road to achieving her dream.

At LSC-University Park, students have access to more than 70 associate degree plans and workforce certificate programs in high-demand areas of study that lead to successful careers. Starting at only $330 for a class, students can achieve their dreams of a high-quality, high value education.