Reflective Essay: Being The Only Latino Students

The pain and agony due to the fact that I might not be prepared for college class was on my shoulders. Since day one of highschool, my biggest desire throughout school was to be engaged in learning while being well prepared for the next step in life: college. What class was the answer to this class desired? It was in a meeting with my guidance counselor in eighth grade that struck me and sparked the interest in my heart to do well. All of my highschool career I have never known what it actually meant to do well and be ¨successful.¨

While I was thoroughly committed to the extracurricular activities, I have decided that my academic career was the best way to focus my abilities in order to reach my goal. Doing well in all of my IB classes has been my number one priority. With education being my number one priority, I strive to maintain a high grade point average. At the beginning of the junior year, I struggled with finding a manageable balance between all my activities. My GPA dropped due to my struggles in the beginning of the year.

Hispanic Americans, or Latinos, are a very large and diverse ethnic group in the U.S. Altogether, they make up about 44 million people or 15% of America’s population. Individuals who make up this category can identify with various nationalities and backgrounds. However, the 2010 U.S Census – as stated in the textbook -- reported that 75% of its total Latino respondents identified being of Mexican, Puerto Rican, or Cuban origin. According to the lecture notes, 65% of Hispanics claim to be Mexican Americans, while 8.5% are Puerto Ricans and another 3.5% are Cuban Americans. These are the three most common Hispanic origins and the rest of the Latino population identifies with other Hispanic nationalities. Of the three common nationalities that

Limary Rodríguez, 21 years old and from development, education and empowerment of young in the Latino community. I believe in the transformation of our communities by the exchange of ideas and the inclusion of all. But, in order achieve, we as young people need platforms like this program to help us grow as líderes and individuals. I have not had any relevant professional experience. But I am prepared to live new experience that will make me grow as a professional and a better human being. I 'm open to any challenge that comes. Considering that I am and live in the Island of Puerto Rico I could not say I have had the (specifically) history in the community service with the Latino community. My history with the community service start way before I could even recognize the

On September 2015, the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, marked its 25th anniversary. With the shift of the nation’s demographics, higher education is concerned with the academic success of Latinos. Not only is the federal government addressing issues of access and equity for underserved minorities’ populations, but higher education is playing a crucial role in reducing the academic achievement gaps for Latinos.

Being Hispanic has taught me a whole world of things. It has taught me that the world is not what you expect it to be. Going to a public school and being th minority is completely different than going to a see my cousins where every thing is different. The way we talk, the food we eat. Its all different. To me, being hispanic is probably the biggest blessing I could ever get. I love being hispanic. Being able to know that my culture is completely different than those at school. It has brought so much knowledge that telling other people about makes them want to be hispanic. Although the majority of it is happy experience, I have had my share of negative experiences. From racism or being mistreated for being the minority. Although those things do impact how I feel, I

American, Asian, Russian, Mexican; we all belong to an ethnic group. While some let their culture and ethnic background define them others allow it to shape your life. Being a Mexican-American I’ve had to simultaneously learn two languages at once; Spanish for when I’m at home or with family and English only at school and with friends. Growing up, my parents didn’t speak much English, so my sister and I had to step up as the family translator. Speaking Spanish is important to my family in many ways, not only is it a way for us to communicate with our family in Mexico, but also a reminder of where we come from. Being from a Mexican family and growing up in Washington has influenced my life to be the way it is.

Growing up as a first-generation Mexican American was a huge advantage for me in that it allowed me to grow up in a culturally diverse community. I learned how to work well with people of all backgrounds and empathize with people from all walks of life. However, while being the first in my family to go to college was a momentous accomplishment, the lack of instruction and guidance lead me to commit many mistakes that could have been easily avoided during my first years at college. My timidity and downright arrogance lead me to believe that I did not need anyone’s assistance and thus I found myself denial that there was a problem in terms of my grades during my first semesters. I have since addressed this issue and have worked diligently to

One of the toughest adjustments, having been born to Mexican parents, is migrating to an unknown country where traditions and languages differ from one 's own. Though many pursue an education and strive for a better life, the purpose behind an immigrant, like myself, differs from the typical American. Immigrants strive for a life that was once impossible, going to school is not only to attain an education, but to better prove that we can also become successful regardless of our traditions and skin color. I lived in a country for over fifteen years, fearing deportation, not only losing a home, but potentially saying goodbye to a bright future. Although many feel empathy for Mexican-Americans, it is undeniably difficult to truly comprehend the immense trauma children and even adults undergo  upon experiencing racism and prejudice. Attending a

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define the term, “Latino” or, “Hispanic” as “a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin” (Arias, 2010). In the United States, Latinos have comprised 16 percent of the population, making them the largest minority. Some sources project that this proportion will increase to 30 percent by 2050 (Juckett, 2013). With such a presence of Hispanic people, it is very likely that nurses will have the opportunity to provide culturally competent care to these individuals. As such, it is important to know how the Latino culture generally regards health, illness, disease, and death.

Given that first issue starts out at home with language barriers when parents are not able to assist their child with the problems they may need help with. But, may continue when certain high schools are only interested with their top 10 graduates or in other words the students with the highest honors, or are just wanting you to get your degree and get out of there depending on the school and the area that it is in. A study done by the University of Georgia did an analysis on Hispanic high school seniors on track to graduate who were all invited to participate in a program to transition them from high school to college. The entire goal of this program was to increase the number of students who applied to college. Luckily this programmed increased

We’re constantly being influences by our surrounding. Usually, our parent’s cultural background plays a significant part in shaping who we are. On the other hand, co-cultures also promote their own set of values which could easily shape our ideas about certain matters as well. These components are a part of how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive too.

Spanish is the most common language that English Language Learner (ELL) students speak or understand, and is quickly becoming an important language in the United States of America (US). (López & González-Barrera, (2013). Massachusetts is home to a large and growing population of Latino ELL students (Fry, & Gonzales, 2008, Rennie Center, 2007).

Being Latino, this course has brought up some points that I have related to their values has changed the ways I think about things and believe that everyone deserves a chance and that our race shouldn’t define us. It is hard that we live in a conservative city that has isolated us in this bubble. Keep them striving and break this stereotype that everyone puts them into. This brought an eye opening of my awareness toward racism. The difficulty that they have to go overcome based on their race.

BING!........BANG!......BOOM!.The exploding lights of fireworks set off as the celebration of Carnival takes place in Mexico.Some say that Mexico is one of the most unique countries in the world with their bright colors and marvelous festivals.My heritage country affects my life now in many ways.I connect through traditions,food and lifestyle.There for my mexican heritage makes me want to explore more miraculous things about it.