Being the only bilingual member in the family forced me to become an official translator. A role that grew along with me as more family members immigrated to the states. Being a first-generation American I am the bridge between two worlds. Through translating I embodied both sides of myself: one that enjoys listening to the loud beats of Reggaeton and the guitar riffs of R&B; the parts of me that find comfort in warm habichuelas con dulce and golden chocolate chip cookies. I realized that as the family translator I had developed quick thinking and code-switching skills and the art of seeing multiple facets of differing worlds. Coming from a working-class immigrant background, I’ve witnessed the struggle of navigating new spaces and compromising parts of your identity in order to adapt. As I embraced both sides of myself, I did not compromise anything. In fusing all my differences I’ve been able to have a significant impact on my family and community. Helping others became my second nature and it’s something I want to do in whichever field I decide to specialize in. Through my work with computer science I realized that these skills are essential to coding where I combine and switch between languages and bridge the outside world with the world of technology. However, currently beginning my journey in higher education I struggle to navigate that "typical college experience". As a first-generation American the time and preparation for the financial burden that comes with the college process was unknown to my family and I. The cost of my education was something I wish I was more prepared for. Although commuting to school and working on times when I do not have class has eased this burden it comes with the sacrifice of a "normal college experience". Navigating a new space where you cannot relate in the same way as you did with your peers in high school has really struck with the question of, what is my place in this new institution? How will I make the most of my untypical experience at college? My working-class immigrant background has pushed me and encouraged me to embrace all the challenging and simple parts of my journey. In the ways my parents learned to navigate their place in a new country where the typical experience was far from their's, I know I will soon find my place in my university and the importance to holding on to your identity and past.

Being the only bilingual member in the family forced me to become an official translator. A role that grew along with me as more family members immigrated to the states. Being a first-generation American I am the bridge between two worlds. Through translating I embodied both sides of myself: one that enjoys listening to the loud beats of Reggaeton and the guitar riffs of R&B; the parts of me that find comfort in warm habichuelas con dulce and golden chocolate chip cookies. I realized that as the family translator I had developed quick thinking and code-switching skills and the art of seeing multiple facets of differing worlds. Coming from a working-class immigrant background, I’ve witnessed the struggle of navigating new spaces and compromising parts of your identity in order to adapt. As I embraced both sides of myself, I did not compromise anything. In fusing all my differences I’ve been able to have a significant impact on my family and community. Helping others became my second nature and it’s something I want to do in whichever field I decide to specialize in. Through my work with computer science I realized that these skills are essential to coding where I combine and switch between languages and bridge the outside world with the world of technology. Growing up with a silver box TV and an old plastic computer to see how technology had evolved sparked my interest. Technology was something I admired but seemed far too complex to understand. Its’ complexity soon faded when I took my first computing course during ninth grade. I understood how everything was precisely placed and connected on a computer screen. Through code I developed simple images, games, and websites that revealed the mysteries that lie behind the bright screens. As I explored my interest in computer science I saw its vast applicability. I learned how technology is connected to various aspects of our lives and can be used as a tool for humanity. The complexity of the human mind and technology closely resemble the other, realizing how psychology and computing are intertwined and the ways both can be a tool to understand the other as technology continues to shift many aspects of society. Through studying human behavior and their ways of thinking reveals a different perspective on technology and its role within society. Combining both concepts I see they cannot exist without one another as it’s essential to understand people to develop technology that will serve them. Pursuing a career in computer science as an Afro-latina from a working-class immigrant family was something I never thought I would aspire to be. I know that being one of the few women and let alone Latinas that make up the field will not be an easy task. However, I hope to really use my experience to develop and research areas that will best serve my community and embrace both sides of my identity. Simply by introducing my perspective and never losing touch of who I am I hope to make an impact on what is produced in tech. However before I step into the field I must first continue working on my education. As an early college student I was able to help alleviate some of that financial cost that comes with education but this does not mean that my expenses are not grand. With this scholarship I would be able to help pay for my tuition and will be granted more time to continue working and save up for my upcoming semester.