Feb. 28, 2025 When Munibott Yim completes his studies at Grand Rapids Community College and becomes a registered nurse, it’ll be a dream come true for his family. “My mother dropped out of school in Cambodia in the eighth grade because they were so poor,” said Yim, 19. “That’s not the life my parents wanted for their children, so they left everything behind and moved to Michigan in search of a better life for us.  “It’s important to me to make something of myself so they know their sacrifice was worth it.” Yim is well on his way. If all goes according to plan, he’ll complete GRCC’s Associate degree of Nursing (ADN) program in 18 months and begin his career as a registered nurse. It’s been a long road. Yim and his family settled in West Michigan in 2019, enrolling both their children in Zeeland Public Schools — Munibott at 13, and his brother at 18. Moving from the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh with a population of 2 million to a small town had its challenges. “I already spoke some English, but it was difficult at first because everyone here spoke so fast,” Yim said. “But I think, overall, it was easier for me to adapt because I came here when I was quite young.” After graduating in 2023 from Zeeland East High School, Yim enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College to study architecture. Realizing the field wasn’t for him, he switched his major to nursing. “I like to feel useful and I want to leave this world knowing I contributed to society,” he said.  GRCC’s ADN program offers a mixture of classroom instruction and clinical lab work that provides direct, hands-on healthcare experience. Thanks to a variety of clinical partnerships, students have the chance to learn while connecting with potential employers.  GRCC graduates also leave with excellent job prospects — and complete licensure exams at rates above the national and state averages. In 2023, all GRCC ADN graduates and all Practical Nursing graduates who took the National Council of Licensure Examinations passed the exam on their first attempt. Yim is completing all his prerequisite courses and will begin the nursing program this fall. He’s already gaining experience in the medical field working as a certified nurse aid at Holland Hospital. “I’m just trying to get all the experience I can, trying to learn as much as possible about the basics of nursing,” he said. Yim said he knows he made the right decision choosing GRCC. “It's a lot more affordable than a four-year university so students don’t have to go into debt, and the education is honestly phenomenal,” he said. “But you also have to want the best for yourself, put your actions behind your words, and then try your best to pursue it.” This story reported by Beth McKenna.