“10,000 Degrees has provided a strong structure in my education. I never felt alone because I could always reach out to my mentor for help, and the team was regularly on campus. Initially, college felt like something that wasn’t for people like me, but 10,000 Degrees has made me feel like this is the place that I’m not only meant to be in but to thrive in.
At first, the whole concept of college was something completely foreign to me as a first-generation immigrant and college student. It always used to confuse me how all my friends from high school seemingly knew everything there is to know about college when I had no idea what to do or how to even start. However, I knew I wanted to pursue higher education. Given my family’s lack of experience with the college education system and unfortunate financial situation, I felt nervous about taking on this challenge on my own. Looking into the costs of attending college turned me away at first, but I knew if I worked really hard, I’d be able to pay it off. This is why community college has been an amazing opportunity for me, as I’ve been able to obtain my education for free while saving up money for when I transfer to a 4 year.
My perseverance and dedication throughout my college journey thus far have inspired my mother to also go to college so she can advance a career in nursing. She says she wants to follow in my footsteps, which is so meaningful to me as it usually is the other way around. I think my passion and success at community college have made my friends realize how ridiculous the stigma around community college is. I also do presentations at my old high school about what community college is like and how impactful this education has been in my life, which has inspired many students to pursue their education there as well.
My aspiration is to improve women’s rights globally at the intersection of education, media, and policy. Through my college education, I will develop my research skills in education consulting, as well as my communication abilities to lobby for legislation that promotes healthier and safer communities, particularly through comprehensive sex education. My ultimate goal is to work with UNESCO to oversee the implementation of global policies and evaluate the impact of programs that empower women.”
