Being one of the first in my family to go to college is seen as a big accomplishment amongst my family and relatives. The ambition to achieve greater success than our parents, to get a better education, and make a career, not just a job is a big opportunity. College is believed to be the first step in entering the ‘real world’ and achieving your goals in life. I faced many hurdles early in life, that instilled great qualities in me. The loss of my mother ordained me as the sole caretaker of the family. Handling drastic responsibilities at such a young age shaped me in who I am today. The importance of hard work, which was embedded into me by my father became the driving force for my aspiration for success. From working, going to school and