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On the evening of August 9, 2016, my family and I arrived at the Orlando International Airport from the Republic of Moldova. The following morning, my younger sister and I dragged ourselves to the bus stop, navigating a new country with a foreign language. Despite the language barrier, I relentlessly pursued my academic goals. We had moved the night before my third year of high school began, leaving me with little time and much to do: learn a new language, take the SAT, and maintain a high GPA. After watching dozens of grammar videos, creating hundreds of hand-written notecards with foreign words, and receiving help from patient teachers, I became fluent in English. I was transferred to honors classes in my second semester. It was then that the dream of attending college seemed attainable.

Despite being a teenager, I did not have the privilege of indulging in free time. My time was divided between school and figuring out how America worked for my family and me. As a first-generation immigrant and the eldest child, I shouldered adult responsibilities: filling out forms for our immigration status renewals, accompanying my parents to doctor’s visits, and helping them learn English. These trials, though demanding, molded me into an individual with a clear vision and unwavering moral principles.

My parents left everything behind for a better and safer future, seeking asylum in America. During the first months upon arrival, they could not work because they were waiting for their Employment Authorization. We scraped by, counting each cent. Once they were allowed to work, the available jobs offered meager pay. Additionally, as an asylum seeker, I was not eligible for FAFSA and most scholarships. The immense pressure of getting into college and
figuring out how to pay for it and eventually support my family weighed heavily on me. My only shot at college was receiving the merit-based Bright Futures Scholarship. After two years of dedicated work, I became a Bright Futures recipient.

In college, I diligently worked to become a strong medical school applicant. I also overcame some of the Imposter Syndrome. Originating from a country unknown to many with a noticeable accent and encountering few of the same nationality felt isolating. My curiosity came in handy once again. I craved to learn about all cultures and everyone’s backgrounds, and I quickly had a robust support system of friends. However, a growing lack of fulfillment weighed
on me in my last year. My involvement in the community sparked this hesitation. I dedicated my undergraduate years to assisting individuals experiencing homelessness. The more I volunteered and led projects to improve their lives, the more I realized that systemic change was required.

I explored different avenues and found that studying law would satisfy my scholarly interests and equip me with the knowledge and skills to—one day—effect systemic change. I will be studying law at UC Berkeley School of Law in Fall 2024, a dream my sixteen-year-old self would not have dared to imagine.