HaU BLOG Posts
I can’t deny that I love where I come from. I have access to the best tacos and am part of the most diverse city in Mexico. I’m from San Ysidro, California, the first stop once you have crossed the Tijuana/San Diego border.
I lived in Tijuana for all of my elementary years, a total of 7 years. To receive an American education, my parents would make me and my brother cross the border every morning at 4 a.m. As a child, I used to think my life sucked because I didn’t get to have breakfast at the table like a normal family. Instead, it was always burritos and licuados on the go. I hated every part of the border: the near death experiences by reckless drivers making their morning commute, the rush from every morning, the 2-3 plus hour wait to cross, and the sleepiness I felt during school. Even though I hated this experience, it served to teach me a valuable lesson. I realized that despite everything I went through I was privileged in every way. The ability to cross every day and have access to the public school system in the United States is my biggest privilege. To this day, I value education so much because I know what it’s like to not have a public education system and only those who can afford it get it. I work hard to represent all the friends I made in my colonia when I was little, the kids that asked me to teach them what I learned in “American” school. Living in Tijuana and in a border town taught me many things. I learned that a culture that is so rich and loving, can also posses the same amount of danger and corruption. We all hear the stories of Tijuana being dangerous and narcos running small towns by fear tactics and money. I am not going to lie and say this does not exist, but I hate the fact that all we ever hear about are the bad things. To know the beauty of the culture you have to talk to someone who has lived and is familiar with the area. Or if you ever want to take a trip, I am always so down! I can’t emphasize the differences I see everyday being here at UCLA, in comparison to home. I miss it everyday, but I know that coming to UCLA was the best choice for me. I am a second year, international development studies major with the intention of addressing education disparities between the United States and Mexico. Love, Brisa Aviles
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It’s still so hard to believe that this is my third year at UCLA. I’m a little over half way there – it feels surreal sometimes. To keep myself in check, I like to reflect on the reasons why I’m here and, this time, I’m going to share a little bit of that with you.
As is the case with many first-generation students, I’m here because I want a chance at a better future for me and my family; however, wanting is not enough. To get here, I had to put in work. A lotof work. And I had to realize a few things. Growing up, I attended low-income schools that didn’t really expect much out of their students (the sad truth about many, many institutions). Being first-generation, I hadn’t even understood the concept of going to college until high school. I got the grades and good test scores because it made teachers happy, and that meant less trouble for me. My schools didn’t have decent resources for students, but I was luckily introduced to a program outside of them that did. There, I learned more and more about ways I could continue into higher education; however, the most important thing they explained to me was something I knew, but never quite understood. I remember them separating me from most of my classmates and explaining to me what it meant to be undocumented. I am an AB 540 student. Although I knew I wasn’t a US Citizen, no one had really taken the time to explain what happened if I wasn’t. My immigration status has since been one of the most difficult things I’ve had to deal with leading up to college – and to this day. I remember being ashamed of this. It wasn’t something I was supposed to talk about, so whenever my friends would ask why I didn’t apply to a certain scholarship, I wouldn’t tell them that it was because one of their requirements was “Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident”. Instead, I’d say that I forgot the deadline or was too lazy. I was angry because I knew I met all other qualifications and I couldn’t understand why this one reason was enough to prevent me from doing what others were able to do with ease. All they had to do was be born in the “right” place; all I did was follow my parents across the border, as any other four-year-old would. Three years into college, and this anger renovated into something else: a purpose. Of course, it is not without the help of certain people, events, and laws (such as DACA) that I’m in a more comfortable place right now, but the thing that’s helped me most is self-acceptance of this condition. This thing that I was embarrassed about for so long is the thing that did not let me take opportunities for granted. Having limitations meant taking advantage of every single chance; having to work twice as hard to get to a goal taught me that nothing is impossible if it’s something I’m willing to work for. I learned that if my immigration status eventually did lead to me have to abandon my ambitions here, I will never lose the knowledge I already have; I will never look at something and think it’s not attainable, no matter where I am. I will always be thankful for those who helped me understand and then helped me move forward. My purpose is to do the same for others. It has taken me most of my life, but the thing that once stopped me from doing so much, is now giving me the strength to overcome other adversities. I hope it does the same for anybody else in this situation. If you can relate, know that it can get overwhelming. But, also remember that you have another hermana just like you, here in HaU, who believes in your abilities infinitely. Thank you for letting me share! **I've said being undocumented was a hindrance, but is now something I embrace. So, "Why is this anonymous?", you ask. Well, unfortunately, we still live in a place of hatred and stigma against immigrants - seen so prominent nowadays. It's different to say something aloud than it is to publish it. I can proudly say these things, but it is a different scenario online and that's a reality I still have to work on and deal with. Rest assured, as the year goes on, you will know who this belongs to!** Love, Your fellow Hermana This was one of the most eye opening summers yet working for Aim High. Aim High is a summer academic program that helps transition students into middle school and eventually high school. This summer in particular, I co-taught 7th grade Humanities. One of the requirements was to create a six week curriculum, it was definitely a very difficult task that forced me to be in the shoes of the those who educated me. I began to understand the difficulties of creating a curriculum for students that come from different educational backgrounds. Though, creating it and seeing it flourish in the classroom was very rewarding.
As the program began and I recognized both familiar and unfamiliar young faces, I was quickly reminded of the role I had. Students constantly came up to me to share personal stories and shared their appreciation toward us as educators in the program. In addition, teaching in East Oakland where the topic on Black Lives Matter and issues like immigration are predominant, helped generate powerful conversations within students. I became aware that even at an incredibly young age of 11, students are fully aware that their skin color drives people to treat them differently. I was empowered by the strength and wisdom that they held. Many understood that education was a method of activism, that through gaining knowledge of the issues around them they could possibly change their community. Students created power points of issues that they felt were relevant to their lives and the lives around them and shared them with families. Teaching in a program like Aim High, taught me so much of what I know now, I was taught to think outside the box, to listen and understand the different ideas and decisions many individuals take. I feel that teaching has made me a more aware individual both of the educational system and the world around me. After teaching for three summers at Aim High, I decided to take an education class here at UCLA. Through this course I am gaining a deeper insight on the culture of education and am learning ways in which race has and continues play a role in education. This summer was an incredibly challenging summer, but I would definitely recommend going outside of your comfort zones to give back to your communities because you will change and impact many lives. This was a little about what I did this summer, I hope that some of you find this useful, helpful or simply good to read and learn about a fellow Hermana. Thank you, Evelyn Zamora |
AuthorThe following posts will be from your fellow Hermanas. Archives
March 2023
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