Zilola Vakhobova

Zilola Vakhobova, a Tajik immigrant and proud graduate of the CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP), beamed as she described what brought her to the United States in 2013, and eventually to Kingsborough Community College, shortly after.

“When I look back on my journey toward learning English [and going to college], I think of myself as the tortoise in the famous Aesop Fable, ‘The Tortoise and the Hare.’ I proceeded slowly and steadily to follow my dream, no matter how long it took, no matter who I had to compete against, and did whatever else I needed to do!”

From the time she was a little girl, Zilola’s thirst for knowledge was apparent. She dreamed of learning English and eventually attending college and becoming a teacher. The speaker of four languages, Uzbek, Tajik, Russian, and (later) English, Zilola also had an opinion about EVERYTHING, but, as a Muslim girl, she knew opportunities for higher education would be challenging. She even had to drop out of high school when her mother, a dressmaker, asked for her help. “I felt my cognitive development had been interrupted, and I developed low self-esteem.” This feeling was new and uncomfortable to her. She was disappointed, but not defeated. She spent the next several years studying on her own, whenever possible.

Later, at 29 years old, already married and a mother to four children, three boys and one girl, Zilola felt the weight on her shoulders of her many responsibilities and the expectations of others, perhaps, though, none greater than those she placed upon herself. She knew her only chance to “open [her] world,” would be to move to America. “If I didn’t have opportunities, I couldn’t grow intellectually, personally, nor as a role model for my children,” she said. Then, one day, fate intervened. Zilola won Tajikistan’s green card lottery. After moving past several obstacles, she, her husband, and their children finally made their way to the United States and have since made Brooklyn their home.

Though everything was new and strange to her and her family, Zilola wasted no time beginning the next chapter of her life. She applied to Kingsborough and was accepted. In so doing, she would become the first person and the first woman in her family to attend college! However, after being tested, she was informed that she would have to increase her English proficiency before beginning classes. A friend in Zilola’s home attendants course recommended CLIP. Soon after, when she entered KCC’s ESL/CLIP admissions office for the first time, Zilola recalled herself brimming with equal amounts of excitement and anxiety, and her heart beating fast. “I felt very emotional. I was about to begin something huge in my life!”

The eager young woman was now on her way. Zilola first completed one semester each in the department’s Part-time ESL and Free ESL programs. After re-testing, her proficiency had increased to a level sufficient for CLIP. During her first days in the program, Zilola said she sometimes felt learning academic English was too challenging, and, believing that her classmates were far more advanced made her want to give up. Moreover, having to simultaneously fulfill her responsibilities at home, she often felt overwhelmed, but remained undeterred. “I had to help myself. I went home [after class], took care of my kids, and made dinner. Then, when I finally had a moment to myself (at 2 am), I sat down to read and study. I knew I had to read to excel.” She let out a hearty exhale.

Zilola soon discovered that she was not alone. Michael, her first CLIP teacher, invited her to join his open discussion forum. It offered the free exchange of thoughts and ideas in an informal and unstructured manner. Fueled by meaningful conversations with classmates and her other teachers, by the time she was midway through her second CLIP semester, Zilola demonstrated impressive improvement. She practiced writing, often creating and completing her own assignments beyond those required for class. In fact, she said, “My second CLIP teacher, Craig, told me I was ‘a very hungry student!’”

Fieldtrips also played an integral role in igniting Zilola’s enthusiasm for learning English and enriching personal growth. Being out and about in Brooklyn and New York City provided the class unique opportunities to experience and practice speaking English with locals while visiting many of the famous cultural and historical sites they had read and learned about. Interactive trips included visits to the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and museums, as well as a walk across New York’s storied Brooklyn Bridge and surrounding Brooklyn neighborhood, DUMBO. “These were all such rewarding experiences,” she said. Writing assignments tasking students to describe these trips in a logical and organized manner, while incorporating the grammar they had learned, typically followed.

Zilola treasures everything about her time in CLIP, but holds one in a special place in her heart. “My favorite moment was when the Director, Natalie Bredikhina, let me continue in the program to allow me additional time to pass the college’s writing placement exam. I was so happy and grateful for the opportunity. That decision gave me hope and motivation to work even harder during my final semester.”

That extra time and support paid off exponentially. Zilola proudly passed her CLIP exam in 2018. It was an exciting moment for her. Barely a breath later, she began her first semester as a fulltime Kingsborough student, earning her Associate’s Degree in Science in 2020. Onward and upward, in 2021, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Education, and a Master of Science in Education (Childhood Education Teacher) in 2024, both from Brooklyn College. Reflecting on her entire academic experience, Zilola said, “College is not just an opportunity to eventually make money. It’s an opportunity to grow. My vision of life became wider and [later]enabled me to better understand life and my kids’ needs.”

Today, Zilola is teaching, preparing for her state licensing exam, and eagerly awaiting the start of her formal career in education. She is excited and proud, not only of herself, but of her children, who have followed her example: two of them within the CUNY family. Her oldest son is a graduate of Hunter College with a computer science degree, and her middle son is studying finance at Baruch College. Her daughter will soon transfer to Midwood High School as an honor student.

To learn more about CLIP or other department programs, or to register, call (718) 368-4870. To speak online with a staff member, click the Virtual Office link anytime Monday-Friday, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm, or join the Zoom session: meeting ID: 857 4347 7610 Passcode: 667012; Email: CLIP.KCC@kbcc.cuny.edu