Imagine moving to a new country at age 49, not knowing the language, going back to school, and raising a child on your own. This was the reality for Keiser University Tampa Alumni Miguel Castillo when he left Panama for the U.S. in 2021, starting his life from zero.
“When I arrived in the U.S., I was determined to continue my career, despite people telling me it would be difficult because of the language, licensing requirements, and radiology work. But I love radiology. I have been in this field for 27 years, even serving as head of the radiology department in Panama,” said Castillo.
The path was not easy. Castillo took on a night shift job at a supermarket. After each shift, he would head straight to the university without neglecting his duties as a father and also while learning English.
“Working at Walmart was exhausting. I unloaded pallets throughout the night. By 7 a.m., after unloading seven pallets, most people would want to go home, but I would take a shower, drop my son at school, and rush to the university,” he recounted.
Returning to school wasn’t his only concern. The language barrier was another challenge he had to overcome to continue his professional journey.
“I thought I knew some English because I had taken courses in Panama, but when I heard people speaking here, I couldn’t understand them. I enrolled in an online course, and every day I went there, I studied English. For me, learning English was like eating; it was essential,” Castillo explained.
Despite this, the language barrier didn’t stop him. He was recognized as the top clinical student in the Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology program at Keiser University’s Tampa Campus.
“When I started, I asked bilingual classmates to help me understand what the professor said. Sometimes, I asked if I would record the lectures so I could listen to them at home. The limitations we face are often ones we impose on ourselves,” he reflected.
After graduating, Castillo passed his certification exams and secured a position at Tampa General Hospital in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) department. Thanks to his extensive clinical experience, he quickly became one of the few technicians trained to operate all the radiology equipment in the hospital.
Now, Castillo hopes his story will inspire others, especially fellow Latinos who may feel hesitant because of language barriers or other challenges.
“I see many of our Latino brothers and sisters hold back. I don’t know if it’s because of the language or something else, but when I arrived, people told me the program was in English, and I said, ‘I don’t care, I’m going to do it.'”
Looking Ahead: A Dream to Teach
With his professional goals largely achieved, Castillo now sets his sights on a new aspiration: becoming a professor at Keiser University.
“Teaching has always been one of my dreams. I want to be a professor at Keiser University. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, and I still have the energy to keep moving forward,” he shared. “My 11-year-old son motivates me every day. He’s proud of me, and I feel I have given him a good example to follow.”
For Castillo, age, language, and background are challenges that should never stand in the way of achievement.
“When you want something, you have to give it your all. Age doesn’t matter—I’m proof of that. I came to the U.S. at 50, and there are no limits based on age, race, language, or gender. If you truly want something, you can make it happen,” he emphasized.
Keiser University is a private, independent, non-profit university serving nearly 20,000 students at 21 Florida campuses, online, and two international sites. Co-founded in in 1977 by Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., and Evelyn Keiser, the university now offers over 100-degree programs, ranging from associate to doctoral levels. As a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, Keiser University is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. In 2024, it was ranked 21st in the U.S. for Social Mobility by U.S. News and World Report.
