In the same way as a Dreamer, I have been marked by resilience and uncertainty, which makes me visualize things differently and how the world has been colored by it. While facing several challenges, my childhood in the US shaped me into a persistent person who can acknowledge opportunities once they come. In my childhood, I was not spared a bit of a chance. Even daily at school, I was at a disadvantage because we could not match our peers in many opportunities, including applying for college. Unlike my peers, who were involved in conversations about their college plans and career ambitions, I discovered another road with different turning points and touchable boundaries. I understood the barriers that I would have to overcome as an undocumented person, yet I determined in my mind that I would not let my status limit me. However, I focused on schooling and extracurricular activities, fighting this wall of negative influences.
Being a Dreamer has become part of me, and the greatest lesson it has taught me is to be steadfast and win even in the most adverse of circumstances. Overcoming all hardships, I have found a way to take two steps forward from the opposite, which has already become my life lesson. I made sure that every challenge I occurred to have enough skills to overcome them. I have acquired a comprehensive empathy and comprehension due to my side of the Dreamer. In my case and that of others, undocumented immigrants have long been trying hard to meet the expectations of their families as well as to have a comfortable life. This exposure has formed my thinking and developed a robust social justice viewpoint and lobbying for immigrant rights.
Notwithstanding its uncertainty, I do not let fear control my path ahead. Besides, I prefer to focus on the outcomes I can achieve and the power of my actions to create positive change worldwide. Being a Dreamer has journeyed through me becoming my identity, and now I am bold enough to use my voice to effect positive change in my community. In addition to that, being a Dreamer enabled me to look at the immigrant journey in a very unique way. I have discovered that to cope with the complexities of double identities, walking both ways, my cultural background and aspirations for the future are connected.
I plan to utilize my identity and experiences as a Dreamer to contribute to social causes and transform my college campus into a better place. I will first use my history and journey as an immigrant to rally the public and community leaders to support the rights of undocumented immigrants(Yukich et al. 496-506). Having been through the intricacies of the immigration system myself, I understand the significance of it being a sound and encouraging environment for undocumented students and immigrant communities. I would join a few campus organizations and projects centered around supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion, discussing undocumented students’ struggles, and fighting for their right to receive an education. By sharing my experience and providing a platform for other undocumented students, I strive to promote a more accepting campus environment where every student feels appreciated and cared for.
Additionally, I would provide a supportive atmosphere for my peers’ educational development by mentoring and co-advising them in a campus setting. I fully understand the significant impact a tutor and a mentor can have on a student through academic and personal development, especially those who have been through similar transitions and troubles. I utilize my knowledge to mentor and uplift my Dreamers fellows; I provide them with guidance and resources they can use during their college years and to cope with the challenges they are bound to face. Navigating through scholarship applications and giving academic support are some areas I am dedicated to helping other undocumented students fulfill and find academic and personal success.
Lastly, I would pursue the chance to meet with the larger community, working with the outreach and service projects. Being a Dreamer, I am eager to repay and am interested in improving the condition of others. I would volunteer in immigrant communities with local organizations to engage in projects such as English language tutoring, citizenship workshops, and advocacy campaigns. Through serving the public and outreach, I wish to be a leader in demonstrating the community’s acceptance of valuing immigrants’ place in society rather than their origin. (WORD COUNT 729)
Works Cited
Yukich, Grace, Brad R. Fulton, and Richard L. Wood. “Representative group styles: How ally immigrant rights organizations promote immigrant involvement.” Social Problems 67.3 (2020): 496–506. https://doi.org/10.1093/socpro/spz025
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