My Story

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I have an Associate in Science from Greenville Technical College, and I am now pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Clemson University, majoring in Language and International Public Health with a concentration in Spanish. My journey has been enriched by diverse experiences that have shaped my dreams and confirmed my passion for connecting language, culture, and health care.

During my time in Spain, Santiago de Compostela I increased my fluency in Spanish as a heritage speaker and actively engaged with the local community through an internship with Agadea Alzheimer. This hands on experience allowed me to learn about Spain’s culture and develop communication skills within professional settings. It also shifted the way I thought about health care and the needs that come with illness and disability. I began to realize that health is not just about the patient but it’s also about the patient’s whole social ecological model. For example, supporting loved ones so they, in turn, can better care for the patient, or ensuring that a patient with Alzheimer’s is still able to socially engage with others to promote better mental health. While these aspects are often overlooked in the formal health care setting especially here in the US in regards to the hispanic community. I learned that an overall better quality of life comes from reducing barriers, increasing self-efficacy, and promoting healthier lifestyle habits.

During my time in high school and college, I also realized my passion for interacting with people while working as both a cook and a server. These jobs taught me to work under pressure, to adapt to different personalities, and to communicate with patience and empathy. This realization helped me to choose a career path that combines my affinity for interpersonal communication with a dedication to aiding the Hispanic community, while also integrating my love for science. I bring with me a unique perspective as someone who has lived in both the U.S. and abroad, and as someone who is proud of their Colombian heritage.

My core values guide both my academic and personal life. I value advocating autonomy for all, which means I want to support others in making choices about their health and their lives. I value facing life openmindedly, especially when learning from diverse communities. I value solving problems resourcefully and finding creative solutions to challenges in health care and under privileged communities. I value being thoughtful with myself and others, which helps me build trust and meaningful relationships. And I value seeking growth both personally and professionally, which motivates me to continue pushing myself in my studies and future career. 

I aspire to build a career in public health that addresses health disparities and improves access to culturally appropriate care for Hispanic communities. My cultural awareness has strengthened through traveling and family interactions in Colombia. I have firsthand seen a growing need for more resources and support within the Hispanic community in my own area. This is why my goal is to fill gaps and create programs with cultural humility in mind, while also working to reduce barriers that health care professionals may not be able to address. For example, a doctor with a depressed patient may provide medication and a referral to a therapist, but I want to expand that level of care by helping them find social groups in their target language and connecting them with resources for challenges such as food insecurity which may be decreasing their mental health. Seeing health from a social ecological view supports immediate needs but also improves long-term well being.

In conclusion, my background, skills, and values connect to my professional vision of improving health for Hispanic communities. My experiences have given me both the cultural perspective and the communication skills to pursue this work, and my values keep me grounded as I move forward. I believe that by advocating for autonomy, approaching challenges openmindedly, solving problems resourcefully, and continuing to grow, I can focus my personal and professional goals to guide myself on helping others.

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