[MUSIC PLAYING]
SPEAKER: I am El Salvadorian and
I'm a first generation student.
And the struggle is real.
It's like you're in
two different worlds.
You know, the culture here in
the United States and the culture
at home, which is a little
mini of your country
that your parents belong to.
At age 11, I had to
work with my dad.
That was the only time that
I could spend time with him,
because he had three jobs.
And so I would do some
sheet-rocking stuff.
By being the only
child and growing up
with that strong woman
influence, I kind of
became really extremely independent.
In high school, I
didn't really understand
just had trouble
with language and not
understanding exactly how to read.
I started getting in fights and
being different types of drama.
I graduated from alternative
school, thankfully.
First generation to get
a high school diploma.
I didn't have financial aid so I
just kind of had to make my own way
and help my dad too with finances
since he's a single parent
and I'm the only child.
Then I came to PCC and I'm thriving.
And at first it was a challenge.
I started from all
lower division classes
and worked my way up to
anatomy and physiology.
I only need a few more things to
get into the program that I want to.
My goal and dream is to
become a doctor and a family
and general practitioner.
I also have a learning
type of disability.
I learned that not that long ago.
My family is like very taboo about
disability and mental illness
and stuff like that.
And so it was really
interesting having
to maneuver my way in school.
I have kind of an advantage
being in two different languages.
I can see things differently.
So being together with
peers and programs
and getting involved is the best
thing that one can do for oneself--
is getting involved,
especially in the community,
reaching out to others.
You raise yourself while
helping others raise with you.
That's what I've
done and that's what
I think is helping me keep going.
I believe that if we all come
together, smile at each other,
and have compassion for one
another, we can all thrive together.
