Isaac Dos Santos Journey From Brazil to Fisher College, Boston

Isaac Dos Santos, a devoted Criminal Justice major, prioritizes family above all else, closely followed by his passion for soccer.

Hailing from Belo Horizonte, Brazil where it is almost 50 degrees warmer than Fisher’s chilly Boston location, but Isaac says that’s not the only difference between the place he grew up and where he now lives.

“Brazil is a much poorer country than America, so what we didn’t have in riches we had in connections and family relationships,” he recalls fondly, “My family is kind of spread out in Brazil, yet when my family and I lived there, we would make the really long drive at least once every two weeks just to see them. Love for each other was something we never missed in our family.”

Family holds a central place in Isaac’s life, influencing his decision to become a Fisher Falcon.

At the age of 15, Isaac’s mother made the courageous move to America -- alone. Despite facing challenges and not having the opportunity to attend college herself, she was determined to provide Isaac with a better future. 

“She fought and worked to be able to bring me back to America, and in doing that she never really had the chance or opportunity to go to college.” For Isaac, college is more than just his dream; it’s the dream his mother had for him as a first-generation immigrant building a family in America.

Choosing Fisher College allowed Isaac to remain close to his family in Boston. 

“Me completing college is my dream but also in a way, it’s her dream, so my decision to go to Fisher was because of the fact that I wanted to stay close to home and still go to live with my family. I honestly felt like if I went away for college, I would be abandoning my family,” he explains.

Isaac’s family journey to America fueled his ambition to pursue a career in Criminal Justice, particularly as an immigration lawyer. Witnessing his mother’s separation from her family in Brazil firsthand, Isaac is determined to prevent similar experiences for others. 

“My main goal as an immigration lawyer is to help as many people as I can, so we can avoid situations where families have to separate, and spend years without seeing each other,” says Issac. 

On track to graduate from Fisher in 2027 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Isaac is dedicated to making a difference.

In addition to his familial ties, Isaac shares a deep love for soccer, a quintessential Brazilian pastime. From kicking makeshift balls around his childhood home to avidly following global soccer leagues, the sport has always been a source of joy for him and his family. 

“In Brazil, soccer is everything,” he says. “I remember playing with everything – a rolled-up sock, a paper ball – if there wasn’t a proper ball.”

Soccer not only brought his family together but also fostered bonds through shared moments like watching Brazil play in the World Cup. Although he didn’t join the Men’s Soccer Team in his first semester at Fisher, Isaac hopes to do so in the future and share his passion for soccer with his college team. When not on the field, Isaac indulges in soccer through video games like FIFA and watching matches.

As a commuter student actively engaged in Fisher’s extracurricular activities, Isaac offers advice to hesitant students: “Don’t wait to get into stuff, if you find it interesting go for it. Whether it's a club or a sport or anything. Don’t wait, because chances are that thing is going to be an amazing part of your college experience

Learn more about our Criminal Justice Major at Fisher College.