Three years ago, I would have never imagined I would be living in the nation’s capital, especially for school. I decided to move to Washington D.C. and study Broadcast Journalism at American University.  Moving to D.C. from a small town in South Texas has not only made me learn so much more about the world, but it has also made me realize who I am. I was born in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico and moved to the border town of Brownsville, Texas when I was about 5 years old. However, I lived the border life of being raised in two cities at once. Growing up, my parents always mentored my sister and me to think outside the box and break all stereotypes. They told us that there was so much more to life than settling down at a young age and start raising kids. Although there is nothing wrong with settling down at a young age, it is something very typical to do in my hometown and in most of the Latino communities.

My mother had a great influence in both my sister and I for us to become driven Latinas. When I was 7 years old, my mother decided to go back to school for her master’s in bilingual education. I remember her working hard and staying up all night studying. I would tell her that she needed sleep but her reply was always the same: ‘this is all for you and your sister.’ My sister is also a big part of me. She has influenced me in several ways and made me go to places I would have never imagined.

 When I first moved to D.C., I was very surprised to learn about all of the groups and organizations that advocate for Latinos in this country. Being from a town that is roughly 90 percent Latino, I was never really exposed to the real issues affecting the Hispanic community. I also had a bit of a cultural clash when I first started school. Coming from a town that was almost fully Latino, I was entering a school that is roughly 80 percent white.

However, my experience has been a very rewarding one. I have learned so much about the world and the role Latinos play in this country. I have also been very privileged in meeting movers and shakers as well as personal role models of mine in the journalism field. After attending a panel that included some of the best Hispanic journalists at a conference, I was so motivated to start a career that would help my community. I want to inform and educate people through my reporting. My aspirations are to become a foreign correspondent in Latin America or Europe. I want to travel the world as much as possible and report on the current issues happening in those countries. American University has played a large role in motivating me to aspire in becoming just that. They encourage all students to study abroad and work an internship every school semester.

‘Internships’ was another word I was not very familiar with before coming to D.C. My sister was the one who explained how important it is to have an internship while being in school because it is something that will prepare me for the real world once I graduate. I am happy to say that I have had some very good internships that have given me rewarding experiences. I have had the chance to intern at think-tanks, non-profit organizations, a national magazine, and a public broadcasting network. It saddens me however, how this is not encouraged back in my hometown. I aim to someday go back to my hometown to raise awareness on the importance of internships and education.

Currently, a senior at American University I am so thankful for the opportunity I have had in living in this great district. As I finish my last school semester, I look back three years and am proud to say that this experience has not only made me grow as a person, but also as a proud Latina.