Incoming first-year Alex Collazo Gonzalez has never lived outside of his home island of Puerto Rico, but his acceptance to NC State University’s College of Engineering is about to change everything.
“I just couldn’t miss out on this opportunity,” said Collazo Gonzalez, who is planning to double major in electrical and computer engineering. “So I decided, yeah, I have to go for it.”
Collazo Gonzalez visited North Carolina this past year, to tour NC State and visit Raleigh. The first time he came to North Carolina last year, he came for the CAMINOS program at NC State, a pre-college program for rising high school juniors and seniors.
The program focuses on exposure to the college academic environment, preparation for the college application and financial aid process and establishment of a strong sense of community through peer engagement and near-peer mentorship. CAMINOS is geared toward cultural exploration for Latinx and Hispanic students, but all are welcome to apply.
“That’s when I really saw Raleigh,” Collazo Gonzalez said. “I went to Asheville and just got a glimpse of what North Carolina is because I’d never gone before. I also hiked the Blue Ridge Mountains as I was leaving. It was really nice and completely different from what I’m used to here. We don’t get all the seasons, so it’ll be really exciting to see winter.”
Though he initially applied for electrical engineering, when Collazo Gonzalez learned of the dual degree program, he immediately planned to double major in computer engineering as well. After building his own computer when he was 14, Collazo Gonzalez developed a passion for it. While he jokes that his parents sometimes wish he’d be on his computer less, he says that they’ve been very supportive of his interest.
“I like being able to create, develop and work as a team to further improve our world,” he said. “Helping others has always been a goal for me, something I always liked. For me, just making life easier for others is the best thing in the world, and being able to do that with other people, too.”
Outside of school and learning about computers, Collazo Gonzalez is a Boy Scout and recently earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout. He fixed cassette players as a side gig for a time. He loves learning new things and being open to new passions.
He’s open to new experiences at NC State, and he already knows he wants to try the North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and the backpacking club.
“My parents are definitely really excited, and I’m happy that they’re supporting me because it’s such a big step,” he said. “I’m nervous, but I’m really happy and I’m thankful that my parents support me and they have my back.
“It’s so far away, and I don’t know how I’m gonna react to the homesickness,” he added. “I’m definitely gonna miss being in Puerto Rico, but it’s definitely exciting. I just want to take all that in, you know? It’s an opportunity, so I have to use it as much as I can because I’m definitely not going to get it again.”
This post was originally published in College of Engineering News.
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