Noah Benson
Noah has wished to become a physical therapist for a while. He knew that in order to achieve this goal, getting a higher education was the required next step. He enrolled to UMass Lowell’s Exercise Science program.
“I chose my major because I have always been into helping others as well as physical activity and I believe that exercise science fit me best. “ Living on campus has been a great transition into the college life. Noah roomed with three of his friends from his town. “It was the best time of my life. We truly bonded and looked after each other. It may have been distracting at times, but we all respected each other, and we all motivated each other to get things done.” Noah’s mom worked at a homeless shelter before she became unemployed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. His dad is an electrician. He has seen both his parents work very hard and still struggle which has motivated him to receive higher education so that he does not have to go through what they did. |
“I want to make my parents and myself proud by getting a college degree which will set me up for later success in life. My family has been very supportive of me going to college. They want to see my succeed and I’m truly thankful for them.”
One of the biggest obstacles Noah has faced so far was not being able to see his brother on a daily basis.
“Both of us have lived together our whole life and I think he struggles when I am not there. Also, I am the first one to go to college, so my mother is not used to having her kid not there all the time, so she misses me.”
Even though being in college has been difficult at times, Noah knows that this is where he belongs and intends on getting the most out of his education. Being a first-generation college student has taught him how to be more independent.
“Being a first-generation student has made me work harder and a more independent person. I would say I do feel like I have an advantage because of it.”
One of the biggest obstacles Noah has faced so far was not being able to see his brother on a daily basis.
“Both of us have lived together our whole life and I think he struggles when I am not there. Also, I am the first one to go to college, so my mother is not used to having her kid not there all the time, so she misses me.”
Even though being in college has been difficult at times, Noah knows that this is where he belongs and intends on getting the most out of his education. Being a first-generation college student has taught him how to be more independent.
“Being a first-generation student has made me work harder and a more independent person. I would say I do feel like I have an advantage because of it.”