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“I was very unsure in the beginning if everything would work out."

That’s how Hans-Dieter Kubatsch describes his decision to enroll at National College a little more than two years ago. The native of Hamburg, Germany immigrated to this country 4 ½ years ago with his American wife. Having worked for 14 years for the second-largest German insurance company, he was no stranger to an office environment. But language and culture were very real obstacles.

Hans, who is graduating this term from the Florence campus with associate degrees in Computer Applications Technology and Business Administration–Management, took on the challenge of beginning a new career and a new life in his adopted country. He credits National’s great instructors with helping him achieve success. “There’s no instructor here that I don’t like; they’re all very nice,” he says. “They are very devoted to their jobs and help the students as much as they can.”

It wasn’t long before his training helped him land a great job with a major computer manufacturer as a Senior Production Technician, a job he has had for about a year. As he nears graduation, he is excited about the opportunities for advancement: “There will certainly be some opportunities when I finish both of my degrees to advance within the company,” he asserts. While his computer courses are of obvious benefit in his work for a computer company, somewhat surprisingly they are not the first classes he mentions. Communications classes are essential in meetings and presentations. He also stresses the importance of financial and business courses. How does he feel now about his decision to enroll at National? “But now here I am, going full time to college and working full time.” Sounds like the American dream to us!