Article written by: Baileigh Hannah
Meet Abisay Salgado, originally from Rockford, Illinois, served 8 years in the United States Marine Corps, including 5 years of active duty and 3 years in the reserves. His decision to pursue higher education was driven by a variety of reasons. Abisay wanted to experience the American college life, meet curious, like-minded people, and enjoy the excitement of football games. While online degrees are an option, he firmly believes that in-person classes offer a much more profound and enriching experience.
The transition from military life to student life wasn’t without its challenges. Abisay found the most difficult part to be figuring out where to start. Deciding which school to attend and choosing the right major were major hurdles. Additionally, he had to figure out housing and financial logistics, which delayed his college journey a bit.
Luckily, Abisay found a solid support system at UIUC. The Chez Veterans Center provided many resources that helped him adjust to his new life as a student. As someone from a low-income background, Abisay took full advantage of the food pantry, resume workshops, job finders, and therapy services. He also reached out to financial aid services to better understand his available benefits. Above all, the social support and sense of community at the Chez Center were crucial in his smooth transition.
Outside of his studies, Abisay is actively involved in several campus organizations, including the E-Sports Club, Illini Vets, and UI-CON, though balancing these activities with his job and classes can be challenging. Looking toward the future, Abisay plans to stay in academia after
graduation, with aspirations of pursuing a master’s and Ph.D. in Information Sciences (or perhaps another related field). His long-term goal is to own a studio where he can create video games, films, and various other creative projects. He hopes to use his success to give back to his communities and inspire others to keep working toward making the world a better place!