Faculty, Department of Public Health
Finding Guidance
I went to college straight after high school because I needed something to save my life. My parents are immigrants from Mexico and I'm gay so they had no idea how to raise and support me and I needed resources and an environment that would help me become a resilient and self-sufficient adult. College gave me all of those things and I am very thankful that I had the will and the opportunity to study at the schools that I did. I faced a lot of challenges (personal, financial, academic) and overcame them all and the struggle has been worth it because I am very happy with the person that I am today. If I could do things differently I would take advantage of the Pass/No Pass system more in order to be strategic about my workload and GPA and also be more frugal with my money and invest it rather than just spend it.
Advice to First-Gen Students
Congratulations on making it to college! The struggle, challenges and opportunities that exist in this environment will change your life. Enjoy learning about things that you enjoy but that will also give you the life that you want. Try to not to compare yourself to people from different backgrounds and resources, especially if they come from money or have been in the USA longer. Everybody's family started from the bottom and if you do well enough here then your next generation will become just like them. ¡Si se puede!