Born and raised in a small city in the Andes Mountain ranges of Colombia, I was able to discover and form my identity from a very unique and distinct perspective. Essentially, my parents and siblings, which are my foundation, raised me to be an integral individual defined by strong morals, beliefs, and most important, faith in an almighty creator. From an early age, I was motivated to expand my passions for learning, adventuring, and exploring; all of which have further encouraged my physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual growth. I’ve attained a fascination for the biological sciences and a quest for knowledge and understanding; which was initially encouraged by the outstanding education I received at a Catholic school, or as I used to call it, my second home. …show more content…
It was during the early stages of my life, where I also witnessed poverty, struggle, and abandonment in many areas of my native country, Colombia, which led me to form a distinguished quality of compassion and develop an enthusiasm for helping others. Having to see, on a daily basis, the poor quality of life of many individuals and the differences in access to education and opportunity, greatly impacted how I viewed myself and those around me. By these experiences, I was able to acknowledge my potential in bringing change. I came to understand that because I had the resources and opportunity to progress, it was my responsibility to give back. In such a way, I had a growing desire to surpass the average standards; to concentrate my efforts in reaching out for