45-year-old psychology, Spanish medical communications major inspires by pursuing lifelong dream
Helping others is what Karla Arreguin does.
It’s natural for her. After coming to the United States from Mexico as an 18-year-old undocumented immigrant, she spent 20 years focusing on her son, working as a single mom to provide him with the opportunities she never had.
When her son joined the Navy five years ago, Arreguin was left to figure out what to do next with her life.
English was her second language. As a child, her father said he only had enough money to put the smartest of his children in school — she wasn’t chosen.
But Arreguin is a dreamer. She left her house when she was 14 to pursue her education, earning her associate degree by going to classes in the morning and working full-time in the evening. She came to the United States in 1998 and, 13 years later, became a U.S. citizen.
Without her son at home, she felt empty and wanted to do something to better herself.
“I decided to do something with my life and go back to school,” Arreguin said.
She came to IU Northwest in the spring of 2019 seeking a degree in radiologic sciences. At the time, her English level was at 30 percent for comprehension, and she didn’t even have basic math skills. It wasn’t easy, but Arreguin kept pushing herself. She kept learning.
She switched her degree focus to psychology, discovering her passion for Spanish medical communications, as well, after learning she can work in hospitals to interpret medical terms for Spanish-speaking patients and families.
Arreguin offers something few others can for those families — empathy.
“I was in their place. I know how they feel. I know the struggles,” Arreguin said. “I know what they need, what they need to hear, feel and what they need to embrace.”
She’s volunteered at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital working with children and adults, helping with their psychological needs and serving as an emotional support to help them through difficult times. It’s a difficult, but rewarding job, Arregiun said. She sees herself in their shoes, and she couldn’t see herself doing anything else.
Her caring nature has also allowed her to connect with her peers at IU Northwest, where she’s often referred to as “Mama Karla.” Working as an intern in the STEM Center, there have been multiple times when distressed students couldn’t find their professor, but she’s been there to talk, cry with and help get them through difficult times.
Soon, she’ll be doing this professionally. Exactly one month before Commencement, Arreguin started a full-time job at Mount Sinai Hospital as a medical interpreter in the oncology department.
“It’s all about emotions when it comes to what I do for my career,” Arreguin said. “Caring and being empathetic with every person. Emotions, that’s my thing.”
Getting to this point wasn’t easy, but Arreguin always dreamt of getting her degree. IU Northwest made that dream possible. She’s graduating with majors in psychology and Spanish medical communications BA, a minor in public health, a certificate as a medical interpreter and is pursuing certificates as a child life specialist and health psychologist.
She supplemented her education working in the STEM Center, joining TRIO Student Support Services, attending leadership conferences around the country, talking with government officials and even studying abroad in Spain.
“IUN gave me hope,” Arreguin said. “I found a community, I found my own space and I found my identity here, as well. I found a place where I belong and can say, ‘I’m an IU student,’ and be proud of it.”
Arreguin’s inspiring story has also been helping motivate those closest to her. A few months before graduation, her godmother called her and asked, “Have you even had time to realize what you have achieved?”
With tears welling in her eyes, Arreguin thought about her brother who’s now in college because of her; her son who earned his associate degree; and her grandchildren who will one day see her as a role model.
For now, she’s excited to get to Commencement Day, walk across the stage and show the world that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.
“I haven’t been able to process everything I’ve done over the past five years,” Arreguin said. “I’ve been holding in a lot of emotions, and I know I’m going to break down that day.”
Through all the struggles and adversity she’s overcome in her life, Arreguin is ready to embrace those tears — happy tears of triumph.
