As a first generation Cuban immigrant, I knew life would present me with obstacles to overcome; my first language was obviously not English and it was up to me adapt. Growing up in Miami, there is a degree of stigma attached to Cubans including, but not limited to, talking loud, always showing up late, and being racist. It seems as if though someway, somehow, everyone must pertain to a stereotyped group--because of this, I'm constantly making efforts to not be seen in such light: I use my inside voice to not be, or seem, obnoxious, I arrive to events early to not "be that person," and I do my best to be considerate of others and their situations because I understand we all face different hardships. The reality is that Cubans are a racially, economically and politically heterogeneous community--we are not all the same! FIU offered me global perspectives and taught me that I am not alone and the same can be said for anyone of any ethnicity!
Throughout my time at FIU, I have met some really great people who have turned into amazing friends--most of which I admire for the way they employ their time and focus their efforts. We have enrolled in numerous clubs with philanthropies that I hold near and dear to my heart, including, but not limited to, local and global engagement! Phi Delta Epsilon (PhiDE), for example, stands for the kids through the Children's Miracle Network (CMN)--we are constantly fundraising money to fund children's hospitals in the U.S. and Canada! Donations lead to life-saving treatments and healthcare services along with innovative research on potential alternatives and medical equipment. Not only do these funds help the children, but their families as well! Being able to relieve financial stress and save lives, both nationally and internationally, is something I am very proud to take part in. Through PhiDE, I was also able to partake in a week-long student medical mission trip that truly opened my eyes to the struggles of a third-world country. The journey was nothing but educational and humbling--it confirmed my passion for medicine and my wanting to help those that are not as privileged; helping those is need is something I will continue to do as often as possible throughout my career. Similarly, GlobeMed, funds Escuelita de la Calle (EDELAC) in Guatemala by paying for institutions, staff wages, school materials, and learning tools; we also donate clothes for the kids to wear and educational/entertaining books for them to read! In our meetings, we dive deep into global health issues affected by culture, socioeconomic status, race, gender, religion, etc.--I have learned more about cultural respect and inclusiveness than I ever thought possible by participating in discussions with my fellow peers that all view the world and certain situations uniquely. Other clubs and organizations such as Hearts for the Homeless (H4H) and Feeding South Florida (FSF) have exposed me to uncomfortable and saddening situations locally; we really don't have to go too far to seek out injustices and that breaks my heart even more. The wage gap has only widened over time and it is up to us to even out the playing field. Situations seen locally are also prominent internationally, and such experiences have enlightened me with global awareness of the detriments humanity faces. Courses and seminars that take a focus on religion exile, gender inequalities, chronic diseases, and climate change world-wide made me truly appreciate my place in society in all aspects. It is mind-blowing appreciating that many of the problems the human race and the Earth faces are due to a lack of education and heart. Greed and bureaucracy have taken over the main stage while compassion and empathy have been hidden in the shadows. The world around us teaches us to simply worry about ourselves and not even waste a breath on others because "it's not our personal problem." There is nothing more powerful than knowledge and although I am always trying to understand, every step I take just leads me to more questions--the more I learn, the more I realize how little I truly know. I am, now however, certain of the path I want to take and the type of person I strive to be.
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