Polk State student who emigrated from Poland will celebrate with her family at graduation

Urszula Sojko may not be the first in her family to graduate, but she will be the first that her parents from Poland get to witness walk across the graduation stage on May 2 during Polk State College’s 130th commencement ceremony, marking a special moment for the entire Sojko family.

She emigrated from Poland when she was only 17. Sojko credits her parents with supporting her on her path to obtaining the American Dream, and her brother Konrad for motivating her to pursue higher education.

“My story is not the sad story,” she said. “My parents were always very supportive. They said, it’s my life, it’s my decision what I decide to do with it. To walk across that stage is going to mean a lot. I’m going to get emotional. My parents are going to be here [from Poland] for graduation. They couldn’t watch my brother walk, but now they’ll see me walk and I thank them for their support.”

“I don’t think I’m going to be stopping there,” Sojko added, hinting at her competitive spirit. “My brother got his master’s degree, so I think I have to follow him.”

Although not a sad story, Sojko’s journey is one that is relatable to many, she reflected.

When she arrived in the U.S. she first lived in New Jersey, where she encountered challenges including a language barrier and issues with documentation as she navigated the immigration process.

“I was just trying to manage – survive,” Sojko shared of those early years. Higher education was not on her mind, yet, as she completed high school, strengthened her English, and simply tried to make ends meet.

When her brother won a green card lottery and came to Florida, she decided to make another big move to be closer to her family.

“He introduced me to college,” she said. “He told me that everyone at Polk State College was so helpful and that he got so much support from everyone.”

At 33 years old, she enrolled at Polk State College, and in 2020, she received her Associate in Arts degree.

She planned to transfer to a four-year university, “but I guess I was spoiled being at Polk State College. I actually decided to change my [major] just so I could come back to Polk State College and finish my education here.”

She will receive her Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Supervision and Management, and Sojko says that she is already using what she has learned in the program in her career with Geico, where she currently serves as a customer service associate.

“I was able to transfer the information I was obtaining from my classes straight to my work, and it did affect my progression at work as well as my end results,” Sojko explained.

She added that the affordability and flexibility of Polk State College and its BAS Program were contributing factors to her decision to stay at Polk State for her bachelor’s degree.

“I was able to get assistance from financial aid, and I was able to take my classes online, which really benefited me as I work full time,” Sojko said.

She aspires to move up in her company and pursue a master’s degree.

“The plans are endless,” Sojko exclaimed. “Failures will happen, but as long as you proceed toward your goal, you can achieve it.”