When I first arrived at UC Berkeley, I didn’t fully understand how powerful storytelling could be, especially my own. I used to believe that my background was something I had to push through or move past. I didn't realize that the very foundation of my story, the struggles, sacrifices, and support that led me here, was something to be proud of. It wasn't until I shared my Berkeley story that I began to truly appreciate what my parents did for me.
Growing Up With a Language Barrier
I am a first-generation student and was an English-as-a-second-language learner. In elementary school, I often felt lost in translation… literally. I remember the overwhelming feeling of sitting in a classroom, not understanding what the teacher was saying, and knowing that I was already behind my peers. On top of that, I was bullied for not speaking English fluently. I internalized that shame and confusion, which left me unmotivated and unsure of my potential.
Back then, I didn’t fully grasp what my parents meant when they constantly told me, "Échale ganas en tus estudios, mijo." In English, it translates to, “Work hard in your studies, my son.” At the time, it just sounded like another version of “Do your homework.” However, it was so much more than that. It was a daily reminder of the weight they were carrying so that I could carry only my books.
A Privilege in Disguise
My parents worked jobs with long hours and minimal pay, often coming home exhausted but still finding the energy to ask about my day at school. They didn't have the luxury of worrying about college applications or extracurriculars when they were younger. In fact, they barely had the chance to go to school themselves. So when they encouraged me to study, they were asking me to do something they never had the opportunity to do.
As a kid, I didn’t appreciate that. I didn’t understand that the reason I could focus on school instead of helping pay the bills was because of their sacrifices. They made sure that my biggest stressor was schoolwork, not survival. That is a privilege not every child of immigrants can say they had, and it's something I will never take for granted again.
Finding Purpose in My Studies
Now, as a student studying psychology and legal studies at Berkeley, I realize how few people who look like me are represented in these fields. Mental health and legal justice are two areas where my community, immigrant, working-class, Latino, has often been left behind. I want to be a different face in those spaces. I want to walk into courtrooms and counseling offices and represent the voices that haven’t had a seat at the table.
I'm pursuing a career as a forensic or criminal psychologist, not only because I'm passionate about justice and mental health, but because I want to bring representation to communities that have historically been ignored. This path is not just for me, it's for my family, my community, and all the kids who grew up being told “échale ganas” without fully knowing why.
The Power of Sharing My Story
It wasn’t until I was asked to share my Berkeley story, my real story, that everything clicked. When I opened up about my experiences with language barriers, bullying, and family sacrifice, I saw my journey in a different light. It wasn't a story of struggle, it was a story of resilience. And most importantly, it was a story of love.
Sharing my story helped me realize how much of my success is rooted in my parents’ determination. Their sacrifices weren’t small or easy. They moved across borders, endured hard labor, and faced discrimination so that I could sit in a Berkeley lecture hall. Every paper I write, every class I pass, and every goal I chase is built on their foundation.
Telling my story helped me understand that I’m not doing this despite where I came from, I'm doing it because of where I came from.
Gratitude and Giving Back
One of my dreams is to repay my parents for everything they’ve done. Not just with financial success, though I hope to achieve that too, but by making them proud. By showing them that their sacrifices created something meaningful. By becoming the kind of professional who helps people like them, who listens, who understands, and who advocates for justice.
My story is one of transformation, rooted in my parents’ unwavering belief in my potential. Telling it helped me connect the dots between their past and my future. It made me see that I’m not just building a career, I’m building a legacy that started long before I ever set foot on campus.
And now, every time I hear someone say “échale ganas”, I smile… because I finally understand just how much love is packed into those simple words.
As a wise man once said, and how I conclude my tours, “That’s my Berkeley story… what is yours?”