Believe in yourself.
It's important to feel like you belong and
you can compete with the best of the best.
No matter your background.
Where my family is from your families just
a big part of the culture and being together
you know that's really important to them so
being far away was sort of a big shocker for
everybody me included.
But Vanderbilt made sure that that transition
was really smooth and really nice.
And that's something that kind of shocked
me because I just I mean I knew Vanderbilt
was going to be welcoming but just to that
extent it made such a huge difference in my life.
I came in not knowing anyone and just kind
of hoping that this would work out.
And time and time again I've come back to
the conclusion that I've made a great decision
on where I'm going to school.
A university passionate about diversity and
inclusion.
You're here to learn and you want to learn
from all different types of people.
I can't tell you how many lessons I learned
meeting people who are so very different than me.
Vanderbilt is a place where you don't have
to hide like if you come from a lower socio-economic
background or if you come from a different
culture or are you coming from any sort of
background that might be marginalized or discriminated
upon.
Like if you're your full self here that's
the way you can succeed here at Vanderbilt.
Creating Community.
Yes, I definitely found friends but I would
say I'm still finding my groove.
I don't think they like to say like oh first
year of the struggle then like second year
you have it all down.
No!
You were so constantly finding your groove.
Anarius leads First-VU, a group for first
generation students.
And that's what we're here for.
We were here for that community to help you.
With Opportunity Vanderbilt helping all qualified
students afford a top education.
That was one of the big things because I,
I was growing up I was like I have to take
out loans like that's going to have to be
one of the ways and Vanderbilt, Opportunity
Vanderbilt told me that
I didn't have to do that.
That didn't have to be like my only path.
It's an amazing experience.
Like I said Vanderbilt really like does it
all.
My mom honestly she's just like you.
This is, just so makes me so proud. Really it's her dream and my dream come true.
