Major: Psychology
Going through difficult life experiences while growing up in the Philippines prepared Juan Antonio Ramos for his career path.
His sister needed extra care due to her spina bifida and he chose his interests based upon family approval. After a horrific reaction to montelukast, a prescribed medication, he became an isolated recluse which led to introspection.
“It caused me to reexamine how I’d been living my life thus far, leading me to an unpleasant epiphany: Having structured my life around others, I’d left myself rather hollow,” he said. “Realizing this, I decided that I needed a fresh start in a new environment, something a convenient, then-recent opportunity to come to the U.S. seemed perfect for. I moved here, rebuilt my life and began living.”
He enrolled at College of DuPage and immersed himself in campus life. He served as marketing chair for the Honors Student Advisory Committee, was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was involved in school clubs such as the Buddies Club, Pride Alliance, Feminist Alliance, Asian Student Association, Philosophy Club and Space Club. He took part in events like the Oxfam Hunger Banquet and the Fleeing for Your Life: A Refugee Simulation Experience, and he spent more than 100 volunteer hours at the People’s Resource Center.
He also had fun and attracted attention juggling stress balls to make students aware of the Calming Café that was set up at the end of the semester.
“My role was to basically be a walking, talking ad to direct traffic toward the venue. While the task itself was fun, what made it truly stand out were all the one-off interactions that occurred. At one point, a whole group of people crowded around, making an impromptu juggling circle. I couldn’t ask for a better way to cap off the semester than clowning around with good company.”
Make the most of the opportunities the school has to offer; don’t be afraid to talk to your profs.
Juan Antonio Ramos
In addition to graduating with highest honors, Ramos was named one of the College’s outstanding graduate finalists. His long-term goal is to become a therapist/counselor.
“I want to be the kind of person the me of my youth desperately wanted but never got, if only to prove that things could’ve worked out differently, and that cases such as mine where I felt stranded in my situation aren’t an inevitability nor should they be the norm,” he said. “I believe that no matter where I end up, even if it’s in a completely different field entirely, my goal will remain the same.”
Ramos is glad his path led him to COD and encourages others to take charge of their lives.
“Make the most of the opportunities the school has to offer; don’t be afraid to talk to your profs,” he said. “They are some of the most involved, understanding, dedicated and caring teachers I’ve ever had the pleasure of studying under and learning from, such as Peter Kanetis, Leslie Wolf and Marybeth Mulcahy, to name a few. If you really want to learn something or take a class but can’t seem to find an opening for it, don’t give up so easily and consider seeing if independent study is a viable option.
“College can be a bit much sometimes, but just know that being burnt out, tired or demotivated is completely normal. Some people can push through with it, others decide to take alternate routes and a few take a much-needed breather in between. Whatever the case may be, just know that the fact that you’re even at COD is admirable and that no two academic journeys will be the same. As long as you know you’re satisfied with the results of your efforts and don’t burden yourself too much on the way, just know that you’re doing great!
Learn more about the Psychology program at College of DuPage