If there is anything that i have learned from this 5 week internship program, it is the importance of embracing my roots and being true to myself. I am thankful that i was presented with the opportunity to participate in this program because it has taught me skills that i will be able to use in the future. As a first gen latinax attending a PWI, this program has helped me build confidence in myself by teaching me that it is okay to be different from the rest of my peers, it has taught me that I am just as worthy of being there regardless of coming from a different background. Thanks to the amazing guest speakers and coaches that were a part of this life building program I have learned to embrace being Latina and have been reminded me to always “hacer todo con ganas”.
The collage I created represents who I am as a person and what this program has taught me such as the importance of telling my story y ser orgullosa de donde vengo. I have now learned that being Mexican is an advantage because we as a whole represent strength and courage which is what's needed to be successful. I am no longer ashamed of having undocumented parents who dont understand english, instead i am thankful that they had the courage to move thousands of miles away to give me the future they were never able to have. This program has taught me to be proud of where I come from and to never be scared to share my story.