WHITING — Manuel  Vargas Guzman, 35, of Whiting came to America in pursuit of a better life for himself and his family.

Originally from De La Cruz, Mexico, Guzman moved to Vermont about three years ago. A friend told him about a job opportunity at a dairy farm, and he began working alongside many other immigrants. His work allowed him to purchase a car and get housing in Addison County.

“I have a lot of friends, I am very grateful to be in this country. I have a job, a roof, a bed. I am happy,” he said.

Though he is grateful for the life he has here, he misses his family in Mexico very much. He has two younger siblings, a sister and a brother. He hopes to return to Mexico and start a dairy farm of his own, bringing with him the business and agricultural skills he learned while living in Vermont.

“I think people who want to come here should learn English because it makes life so much easier. You need English to communicate with everybody and you have more opportunities with English,” he said.

Vargas Guzman is following his own advice; he takes English classes at the Vermont Adult Learning Center every week.

Next Tuesday, Aug. 20, Vermont Adult Learning will host its Graduation & Celebration at the Kirk Alumni Center at Middlebury College. The event recognizes the achievements of its students, including Vargas Guzman, who will be among nine inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society. Also at the ceremony, eight students will collect a high school diploma, and eight more will get their GED, which is a diploma equivalent.

Though Vargas Guzman is making progress in learning grammar and vocabulary, he is finding it difficult to gain opportunities for immersion and practice with native speakers. He hopes to gain a stronger command of the language to increase his opportunities in the United States.

Editor’s note: This interview was conducted in Spanish and quotes were translated to English.

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What follows is a Spanish language version of the story.

WHITING — Manuel Vargas Guzman, 35, de Whiting, fue al Estados Unidos para obteñer mas oportunidades para el y su familia.

Originario de De la Cruz, Mexico, Vargas Guzman fue a Vermont hace tres años. Su amigo le habló de un trabajo en granaja lechera. Él trabaja con otras migrantes de Latinoamérica y otros países. Con el dinero del trabajo, su pudo compre un coche y vive en condado Addison.

“Estoy agradecido de estar aquí (Estados Unidos). Tengo un trabajo, una cama, una casa. Tengo amigos. Estoy feliz,” el dijo.

Aunque está agradecido por su vida aquí, extraña a su familia en México. Tiene dos hermanos menores, un hermano y una hermana. Quiere regresar de México y empezar una granja lechera, con su nueva habilidad en negocio y agricultura.

Tiene consejo por otros migrantes que quiere ir al Estados Unidos, “Aprende inglés, porque es necesario por comunicarte, y vida aquí es más fácil si lo sabes inglés. Lo necesitas para todo,” el dije.

El estudian Vermont Adult Learning a Middlebury todos los lunes.

En martes proximo, 20 de agosto, habrá una graduación y celebración por Vermont Adult Learning a Middlebury College. Vargas Guzman es uno de nueve estudiantes que serán admitidos a National Adult Education Honor Society.

Vargas Guzman está progresando en vocabulario y gramática, pero quiere practicar más con hablantes de inglés con fluidez.

“Es difícil practicar porque gentes no tiene tiempo, o a veces, paciencia conmigo, y no quiero preguntarles,” el dije.

Manuel quiere mejorar en inglés para tener más oportunidades aquí.