A decade ago, Natalia Legion, current Donnelly student, traveled from her native Russia with a few things in her possession: a letter from the American Embassy, granting permission to come to the States; the 25 English words she’d learned from books and television; and perhaps, most importantly, an unyielding determination to make the most of the opportunity. After settling in the U.S., Legion decided to become a taxi driver—but first, had to learn enough English to pass the driver’s test. She enrolled at Maple Woods Community College to begin the journey.
“The first book I ever translated was the one that taught the rules of the road,” Legion recalled. Later, Legion transferred to Donnelly’s ESL program at the recommendation of a friend because of smaller class sizes. Since arriving, Legion has completely immersed herself in the community, education and the opportunities that Donnelly provides.
“I have never studied as hard as I studied for Donnelly’s ESL classes,” Legion marveled. “We were required to submit stories every week —and that was hard! But I know that those exercises made me a better English speaker.”
Legion recognizes Michelle Bridges, Assistant Professor and EAP Director, and Dr. Melissa Lenos, Assistant Professor of English, as pivotal teachers on her road to learning the language. Their tactics and encouragement have obviously been effective: Legion, also a burgeoning writer, won Donnelly’s 2014 non-fiction Sister Mary Faith Schuster Award for Lola, her submission to Dime: The Arts & Literary Journal of Donnelly College.
Averting a crisis
Easy-going and bubbly, yet gently assertive, Legion has a youthful exuberance—an adventurous joie de vivre that slightly belies her age. While many approaching the middle years find themselves in crisis mode when contemplating what’s next, Legion (who proudly proclaims that she’ll soon be 40) is excited about the future. She feels as if life has just begun.
“I didn’t feel like a grown up until age 35,” Legion said. “At that point, I started living independently and had to ask, ‘How am I going to handle myself?’ Nobody controlled me anymore or told me what to do or where to go. Living alone has built my confidence. And, it’s important to start a life in the cradle of my education.”
Natalia remains in close contact with her mom, who still resides in Russia, through regular phone calls, but doesn’t plan to return Russia after finishing her associate’s degree—at least, not immediately. Instead, she plans to transfer to the University of Missouri-Rolla, to pursue a degree in chemical engineering.
“I decided, a while ago, that I needed to change something in my life to improve it, so I decided to pursue chemical engineering. Becoming a chemical engineer will give me financial security. And, it will also allow me to make the environment better—especially back home.”
Get Up and Walk
In keeping with everything else that Legion has put her mind to–taxi driving, which continues to be a thriving vocation for her; learning English; writing; and next, becoming a chemical engineer and making a difference in the environment–Legion is determined to approach everything with enthusiasm, optimism, self-reliance and joy.
“‘Be better than I was yesterday’ is the motto for my life, and I think it’s like a baby taking first steps,” Legion said. “Those first feelings of fear get replaced with curiosity. Then, once the baby gets stronger in walking, a whole new world opens up. It’s like that for all of us. You have to get up and walk to discover this life.”
“The first book I ever translated was the one that taught the rules of the road,” Legion recalled. Later, Legion transferred to Donnelly’s ESL program at the recommendation of a friend because of smaller class sizes. Since arriving, Legion has completely immersed herself in the community, education and the opportunities that Donnelly provides.
“I have never studied as hard as I studied for Donnelly’s ESL classes,” Legion marveled. “We were required to submit stories every week —and that was hard! But I know that those exercises made me a better English speaker.”
Legion recognizes Michelle Bridges, Assistant Professor and EAP Director, and Dr. Melissa Lenos, Assistant Professor of English, as pivotal teachers on her road to learning the language. Their tactics and encouragement have obviously been effective: Legion, also a burgeoning writer, won Donnelly’s 2014 non-fiction Sister Mary Faith Schuster Award for Lola, her submission to Dime: The Arts & Literary Journal of Donnelly College.
Averting a crisis
Easy-going and bubbly, yet gently assertive, Legion has a youthful exuberance—an adventurous joie de vivre that slightly belies her age. While many approaching the middle years find themselves in crisis mode when contemplating what’s next, Legion (who proudly proclaims that she’ll soon be 40) is excited about the future. She feels as if life has just begun.
“I didn’t feel like a grown up until age 35,” Legion said. “At that point, I started living independently and had to ask, ‘How am I going to handle myself?’ Nobody controlled me anymore or told me what to do or where to go. Living alone has built my confidence. And, it’s important to start a life in the cradle of my education.”
Natalia remains in close contact with her mom, who still resides in Russia, through regular phone calls, but doesn’t plan to return Russia after finishing her associate’s degree—at least, not immediately. Instead, she plans to transfer to the University of Missouri-Rolla, to pursue a degree in chemical engineering.
“I decided, a while ago, that I needed to change something in my life to improve it, so I decided to pursue chemical engineering. Becoming a chemical engineer will give me financial security. And, it will also allow me to make the environment better—especially back home.”
Get Up and Walk
In keeping with everything else that Legion has put her mind to–taxi driving, which continues to be a thriving vocation for her; learning English; writing; and next, becoming a chemical engineer and making a difference in the environment–Legion is determined to approach everything with enthusiasm, optimism, self-reliance and joy.
“‘Be better than I was yesterday’ is the motto for my life, and I think it’s like a baby taking first steps,” Legion said. “Those first feelings of fear get replaced with curiosity. Then, once the baby gets stronger in walking, a whole new world opens up. It’s like that for all of us. You have to get up and walk to discover this life.”