More handpicked essays just for you.
Discrimination against immigrants
Undocumented student life challenges essays
Discrimination against minorities in the us
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
I am an undocumented student at UC Davis. When I am asked a simple question such as, "describe your personal experiences", I ask myself: Where do I begin? The reason behind this reasoning is because I became a well rounded individual who was exposed to all types of experiences. Some of those include prejudice, determination, struggle and even pride. Nonetheless, these combination of personal experiences have contributed to the person I am today. That is, a young female in the pursue of her aspirations despite the barriers. To start off, I have mentioned prejudice and in my opinion, this concept cannot be fully comprehended until it is experienced. However, I can describe how prejudice made me a stronger person. I grew up in a small town …show more content…
in Mexico. I immigrated to the United States at the age of eleven. Without any knowledge of the culture or language in a new country, I jumped into the opportunity of having an education. I thought it will all be the same as Mexico where I would shine and learn without having fear. I was wrong. It was the hardest thing I had to do. Most of us, in our society, know that being an immigrant is hard.
But do you really know the struggle? Do you know what it is literally to not understand anything? Do you know what it is to live in scared? Or even simpler, do you know what it is living in a small trailer sleeping with all your siblings and parents together in an old bed trying to escape the harsh cold winter? Do you really know? Because of this, I needed to adapt to my new environment at a fast pace. Eventually, I did. But, this let to a conflict that was like a war within me. I was fighting with who I needed to become and who I wanted to be. To clarify this, I can put it into a social and psychological scene. I needed to be someone who was not seen as an immigrant because that would open doors for me in my community. On the other hand, I wanted to be an example for others in the same situation as me. How can I be both in order to move forward? At the end, I realized that despite what I did and what I understood I was not going to be accepted because I have an accent, because I look hispanic and because I come from a low-economic background. Consequently, I was denied academic opportunities in my high school because having an accent made me look inferior. All I had and still have is very limited. Having limitations is not under my control. The only thing I can do is enrich my knowledge with the little I do
have.
Through dealing with stereotypes, the motivation of my mother to be better, and constantly switching environments, I have become an individual in American society. Through these experiences, it has helped me to fit into society as my own person.
Growing up in a diverse neighborhood in California laid the foundation for who I would become. It had also built my views to an extent, expanding by the events that would occur in my life. I was able to witness a number of different unique cultures and customs within. Whether these experiences came from my school to those I meet at church, my appreciation, and effort to stand out in society grew.
When I was younger I was not so smart and would do questionable stuff all the time. I would jump from boulders to other boulders, climb on top of chairs, and even try killing snakes I would find in our yard. One day I learned a lesson from going on one of my self proclaimed adventures with a good friend.
Religion has always been confusing for me when regarding myself and my family. Everyone around me had their own or didn’t have one at all. My grandparents were catholic and taught their six kids in a catholic mindset. All my aunts and uncles got baptized, went to church every Sunday, and read the bible. Once they got older they stopped going though. I don’t think any of them even stills believes in god anymore. Then there’s my sister, Julie, who was raised catholic in her younger years. Her grandparents would take her to church and Sunday school and even wanted to get her baptized as a baby. My mom said no though so she wasn’t. When Julie was in Elementary School her grandmother sent her to a religious camp. I didn’t have to go though because
My senior year in high school, I started dating my boyfriend Dontavious. During my senior year I had part time job at McDonald’s. One night my manager ask me to step outside because a customer wanted to talk to me personally. She introduced herself to as Sarah and asked me questions about my family. Towards the end of the conversation she informed me that my grandfather is father, which meant she was my aunt. I went home to tell my mother about what was said. My mother explained that Sarah was telling the truth, but my family did not speak about the situation. Graduation time was slowly approach and Dontavious suggested that our families should all come together and meet one another. Dontavious’s Aunt Sabrina had a baby shower. I enter the
On a summer day in 2001, I stepped up to the plate and stared down the pitching machine. I stood in the batter’s box with an orange shirt that went to my knees, my hair in a low ponytail, bangs that almost covered my eyes and a look on my face that explained I had no idea what I was doing.
Growing up, my parents owned and operated a successful small business. As crafting trends changed and scrapbooking went online, they were forced to file bankruptcy – both personal and business – in 2013. I was just starting high school and realized the repercussions this would cause on my plan. I have always planned on pursuing higher education and realized that any hope of financial support from my parents was dismal. I poured myself into school, finding a new motivation in the realization that great grades would lead to scholarships. I found a new job as a night manager at a local grocery store. That job benefited my family in multiple ways as it provided me with a steady income – meager, but consistent- and helped with food insecurities
It was a hot, cloudless day in the middle of summer. I just finished talking to my mom about going to a friend’s house. I rushed to my room to pack my backpack with clothes, a hairbrush, and a toothbrush. I sat down, waiting for a call from my best friend, Morgan. Finally, the phone rang. I picked it up in a heartbeat, I told her that it was okay if I could go to her house. My dad drove me to her house, and I was greeted by her dog, Keziah and her four horses. When she came out, we both sat down on her hammock and thought about what we wanted to do. We decided to go on a ride. The two of us strolled to the horse pasture and led two horses, Onyx and Moochie, to the hitching post to be brushed. We spent the whole morning getting them clean
Two years ago in the summer time I went to visit my family in Romania after not seeing them for about three years. My whole entire family from both of my parents live in Romania so the summer is the only time we get a chance to see them. Two years ago I was not really aware of how grateful and lucky I am that I can go visit my family because some families do not have the chance to go because airplane tickets cost so much money.
It all happened on a sunny day out in the field. I was only six years old at the time and it was the middle of the summer. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was a tough time for me. Also I learned it is smart to practice before jumping into something.
I walk up the cold steps. My heart beating hard, fast, feeling like it’s about to leap out of my chest.
Everywhere I go, she is always there. Not in a physical sense but more in a spiritual sense. I understand it is all in my head but every time the scent of vanilla appeared, she automatically comes to mind. How she would wake up in the morning with her hair in my face and her back facing me while my arms rested around her waist. Let’s just say it was my favorite place to be. She was the only one I needed. Then things got strange.The sun started going down sooner and the moon started to glow brighter. I know we will be together forever. Will, such a strange and yet demanding word. One night, the wind was blowing hard and the snow just began to fall. Coincidently it was our two-year anniversary. I had just bought a ring for the girl of my dreams and no, it wasn’t a proposal. It was more of a promise ring. She never has had one before which is pretty insane due to her incredible beauty. Any man would be lucky to have her and I’m the lucky one.
Being an independent individual with anxiety has been my most significant challenge in achieving my educational goals. I have had to be my own motivation, and cheerleader to continue pursuing my dream of graduating from a university. It has been challenging because my anxiety is severe. Panic attacks and depression have been major side effects. The experience feels like a tornado. Everything seems to get caught in this big swirl of craziness and is never ending. A tornado is disastrous and extremely dangerous. Most of my life I pushed people away and out of my life because I did not want them to be a victim of my tornado. My faith remained in the little knowledge I knew about tornadoes. I know that they eye of a tornado is calm. I thought that
The night way cold and rainy, no moon was present. As people walked down the street never once looking up, eyes glued to their phones with an infinite amount of apps, infinite wasted time. The buildings were tall, concrete on the north side of the city, offices and high rises for business men and the wealthy. To the south were old brick buildings, a historic downtown from the original city, narrow streets and no stop lights. The contrast was incredible, in the north was the present, in the south was like something out of a Noir film. In the west was the docks, they had never changed, wooden structures reaching out and large filled dry docks. The city was always busy with trade, imports exports, everything
I learned that trust is crucial in relationships and one split second decision, can change relationships tremendously. All of my life I have spent my summers in Sagamore Beach Massachusetts. I am part of a third generation to do so. I’ve known Anna, Nikki, and Abi my whole life. Anna and Nikki are a year older than me and Abi is a year younger. In the past few years we have grown closer to one another. We spent everyday together, told each other everything, and trusted one another with our lives. At least that's what I thought.