As a sophomore at Rory Meyers College of Nursing and a first-generation college student, I faced a lot of challenges deciding to study abroad. Neither of my parents or stepparents went to college. They do not have the experience of the hardships we go through as a college student. There is a lot of pressure in making my educational opportunities worthwhile because my parents did not have the same opportunities I have as a first generation U.S citizen. I was interested in studying abroad and currently am because I want to open up my scope in other health care systems in other countries and increase my exposure to other cultures. I need to enhance my Spanish vocabulary and be able to speak to strangers without being afraid—since I will be encountering many patients with different backgrounds in my future career. I want to improve my cultural awareness. If I lack cultural knowledge, poor patient care can be the result, therefore, studying away will decrease the chance of mishaps occurring. Studying …show more content…
I got 4 credits transferred to New York University’s Department of Spanish and declared my minor. As a nursing student, my schedule permits me to study away only the Spring of 2018. When I arrived at Madrid I enrolled in four distinct classes, “Migration and Culture Diversity,” “Spanish Culture Through Cinema,” “Critical Approaches to Text,” and “Islam and Spain.” These classes differ much from each other but all teach me to break barriers and debunk stereotypes I could encounter on a daily basis or I could reference to someone that is not from my culture. This is very crucial in the health field mostly because I will not like to make a patient feel further uncomfortable than they are already are in the clinic or hospital. Avoiding stereotypes and being sensitive towards there people will save many
After spending months preparing patient education programs and petitioning resources and healthcare professionals, I spent a week working in the underdeveloped, impoverished Darien region of Southern Panama. Those enriching days affirmed my strong intent to serve the Hispanic population domestically or internationally during my career. One of the important factors in selecting OSU’s NP program is the opportunity to provide care to Spanish speaking patients through the ISLL program. Either of my desired specialties provides students this professional
I am the youngest in my family, but I am also the only child in my family to attend a 4-year university. I value education and I work diligently to do the best I can in anything I commit myself to. Although my parents do not demand much from me, I put the pressure on myself because I want to make them proud and have a better future for myself and for my family. My parents never had the opportunity to chase their dreams; however, I have the support of my family and the funding from this country to pursue my dreams. I understand the road to my aspirations is not going to be easy, but I am committed to dedicating the necessary time and
Although I don’t know much Spanish, I can communicate with them better to some extent. Also, learning a language can help you better understand the culture. In my case, learning Spanish helped me understand the hispanic culture better. Although I believe Spanish helped me, it was very difficult to learn.
As I look back on my journey to college, I faced many different problems and disadvantages even before taking my first steps on campus. In Linda Banks-Santilli’s “Guilt is one of the biggest struggles first-generation college students face” many first generation students view being the first one in the family as a major flaw before entering college (Banks-Santilli, 2015, Par. 4 &7). The lack of self-respect makes it difficult for students to achieve success without help or motivation. The students have to change their viewpoint about being the first to go to college in their family as a weakness and make it a strength to help motivate them to be better students.
Their sacrifices to leave their home country and arrive in the United States to give me a better life was a big dedication and I want to support them as much as I can. Inspiring and helping others is one of the many attributes I have learned about myself after I graduated high school. As a first-generation Asian-American college student, I understand the weight of responsibility that I have to endure with. I hope to break barriers and challenge stereotypes, demonstrating that one's background should not limit their potential. I aim to encourage aspiring healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds to pursue their dreams
Research indicates that students whose parents did not attend college are more likely than their non-first-generation counterparts to be less academically prepared for college, to have less knowledge of how to apply for college and for financial assistance, and to have more difficulty in adapting themselves to college once they enroll. They are also more at risk for not completing a degree because they are more likely to delay enrollment after high school, to enroll in postsecondary education part-time, and to work full-time while enrolled. (Hurtado & Carter, 1997; Pasacrella & Terenzini, 1991; Tinto, 19931), First-generation students, may lack the cultural and social capital, which may account for the difficulties they face in academia (Perna, 2000). Targeted intervention efforts that reach out to first-generation students both before and during college can help alleviate the barriers and challenges first-generation students face and help colleges reach their goal of recruiting and retaining all students. Academic Barriers Research has shown that low-income and first generation students are less likely to be engaged in the academic and social experiences that foster success in college, such as studying in groups, interacting with faculty and other students, participating in extracurricular activities, and using support
The fact that racism is still a massive problem around the world, makes it hard to believe that is will ever end. By changing the way we view others, it could change the way others view
My father has recently become unemployed, and my mother is still recovering from surgery as I write this essay and is also unable to work. I know my parents support my decision to study abroad, but they must prioritize the day-to-day needs of my siblings and their medical bills, and as such they cannot possibly afford to aid me financially. Unfortunately, I have continued to put off participation in international education because of financial hardship. I distinctly remember during the fall of my freshman year of college not being able to afford a one-week international exchange program.
I remember the day I received a little yellow paper that said, “Cinthia Gordillo you are eligible to participate in commencement.” I started tearing up because I knew that I had accomplished one of my dreams as well as my mother’s dream. My mom decided to leave her home town in Honduras because of the lack of jobs and violence. I was born in Madera, CA four months after my mom migrated to California. Growing up my mom emphasized the importance of education however, out of her six children I was the first one who decided to pursue a higher education.
When I was seven, I asked my mom why she had come to America from Ethiopia. She told me that she had come so that I could have things that she didn’t, get the education she couldn’t, and see and do things she wouldn’t. I told her that I was going to make her proud and even though I was seven, I was stubborn, and set my goals high and worked hard. I will forever remember my mother crying as I got my college acceptance letters. Now, as a junior at Old Dominion College as an international affairs major, I’m setting to make her proud again.
Race is an issue. Our culture tries to pretend that it’s not, but our minds can’t help but compare the people with the stereotypes. It’s easy to identify yourself based on your race, but it’s even easier to pre-judge others. Our race has nothing to do with potential, with success or with what a person is capable of. What can we do to fix this injustice is to raise awareness and give people knowledge that we shouldn 't judge people based on their race.
I am also the first in my family attaining an education. I did not have my mother’s insight of what to do and/or what to expect from college. My main support were my counselors; they helped me not feel alienated as a student. Despite all the circumstances and
Question 1 Discuss why you have decided to study abroad. Explain why you chose this particular program and how it relates to your personal and academic interests. List some of the courses that you are considering for the term and briefly explain why they interest you. (about 300-350 words) My motivation for this experience is to broaden my scope of education and make myself more marketable for a career in International business.
In today 's society we encounter and face numerous problems that can be solved. In everyday life we as human beings walk around giving other individuals stereotypes without realizing that we are doing so. One of Society 's biggest problems that we are facing right now is stereotyping people. Stereotyping people has so much of a negative effect on our society.
In addition, speaking up against discrimination can help to reduce social discrimination in public. While programs and policies and have been put in place to encourage equal treatment and equal opportunities for indigenous people, a greater emphasis needs to be put on educating and changing the attitudes of the general population. It's not enough to just show the numbers and statistics, people need to genuinely understand the hardships indigenous people experience on a regular basis. There needs to be more positive and personal interactions with the indigenous people. To truly combat the issue of social discrimination, people must change their thinking from an attitude of hostility to an attitude of