I am currently a senior at UC Berkeley where I am majoring in Media Studies with a concentration in global cultural studies. I was born and raised in Orange County and, before Cal, I spent five years in Los Angeles. I am a wife and student-parent, and a big part of my identity is raising my energetic and outspoken five-year-old while managing the challenges of work and school. My family of three enjoys exploring new places, pursuing outdoor activities, and trying out new things together.
When I first transferred to Cal, it wasn’t necessarily the academic transition that posed a challenge for me. Thanks to the supportive programs like EOP and the Student Support Services, I was able to smoothly integrate into the golden bear community and its rigorous reputation. Being a transfer student from ELAC, I found the transition to be more of an adjustment, and it wasn’t overwhelmingly difficult. One of my biggest struggles as a Latinx student at Cal was the initial sense of isolation. Coming from a tight-knit Latino family, the move to the Bay Area meant losing the constant support system I had back home. However, I have managed to cope by staying connected with my family through FaceTime calls, and occasional visits. Exploring our new home has definitely helped my husband and I find a sense of belonging and community as well.
I will admit, Cal was never one of my first choices- I couldn’t even fathom the idea of being a part of the school, nor did I imagine even being considered. It was just never a thought that crossed my mind. I knew I wanted to give myself the opportunity to try and make something new for myself, and Cal was the best place to do so. I chose Cal primarily because of its Student Parent Center. From the moment I began researching on their website, all of the pictures of the families made it seem very warm and welcoming- which is exactly what I was looking for. I’m currently living in student housing on campus thanks to this program, they really helped me out and it has been a lifeline. The Student Parent Center assists with housing, application processes for a variety of things, and connects us with essential resources and networking opportunities. The resources the Center offered coupled with the welcoming environment convinced me that this was the right place for my family. My family had mixed feelings about the move, but ultimately, they were supportive of my new journey.
As a Latinx student, I have encountered moments of surprise from others when they learn that I am a student-parent, and even more so when they learn that I am a student at Cal. It’s interesting to notice that it’s predominantly from white individuals. I often wonder if it’s because I am a parent or because I’m a student at Cal, but I never make too much of it at the moment. However, I’ve learned to value my place here and remind myself that I’ve truly earned it. I worked hard to get to where I am today, and it shouldn’t matter what other people think or how they react when I tell them my story. Because, at the end of the day, I know this is something I have earned and worked hard for; and I continue to maintain my spot here.
Being a student-parent has given me a clear goal and a sense of purpose; it has positively influenced my academic journey positively. The support I’ve received from other student-parents has also been invaluable. We share information, advice, and help each other navigate the unique challenges we face not only as student-parents but as students and individuals. We’ve all been through it, and we all have something to share.
I recently switched my major from Social Welfare to Media Studies, hoping to amplify voices and make a positive impact. Currently, I am interning with GoFundMe, combining my studies in media with my passion for social welfare. It’s a good step towards my goal of building community and making a difference- which is essentially what I want to do. I envision my small family staying in the Bay Area and making something for ourselves here, specifically with me in the media or communications field. Reflecting on my time at Cal and my journey as I navigate switching majors, taking classes, working, being a wife, and being a mom, I have learned more about myself and feel seen not just as a parent but as a student, too. It has been a long and sometimes difficult journey, but it is one that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
My advice to other Latinx students or student-parents like myself at Cal, or anywhere, would be not to doubt yourself. Reach out for support, building your communities, and know that you deserve to be here. The journey might and will be challenging, but with the right mindset and support, you can achieve your goals. There will always be someone rooting for you, whether it’s your mom or dad, your partner, a friend, loved one, or children.
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