As a first-generation Latina, I had to balance leaving home and carving out my own home once I got to UCI. This was eased with the family I found among my new roommates and hallmates from Jardin, forming long lasting friendships, some which I even have the privilege to call my sorority sisters. Joining a sorority never crossed my mind, but the idea became a reality after one of my hall-mates told me if I was interested in establishing a new Latina sorority, but in the end I was intrigued by the idea and three years later, Phi Lambda Rho was established. This simple act was the first time I learned about the importance of finding your own space at such a big university and creating spaces when they do not exist for students that come from my community.
Though I was surrounded with Latina peers, it was inevitable to feel culture shock and learn that I did not grow up having the same opportunities as my fellow peers. Though this was the case, I eventually learned to use that as a source of motivation to succeed and help out my community. Yes, that is has been my inspiration from day one, never forgetting that though I have had the privilege to attend a UC campus and that I have the duty to go back to my community and help them with opportunity I have been given. That continues to be my motivation today, but I must not forget that there have been certain individuals, experiences, and mentors that have also motivated me to continue. Estamos Unidas, Latina/o Student Psychological, Right to KNOW, Cross Cultural- Center , Summer Academic Enrichment Program, C.O.A.C.H., SAGE Scholars, and Phi Lambda Rho have all been influential to my personal and academic growth, pushing me to think critically, to become conscious student/citizen, and have all pushed me academically, learning valuable lessons outside the classroom. Without these spaces, I do not know where I would be today.
UCI is a very special place that has fostered my leadership skills and has led to personal and academic growth. I know that this may be hard for some to experience, especially after discussing this with incoming Latina/o freshmen who have a hard time adjusting to a new university that is not reflective of the communities they come from. To those and to the future incoming Latina/o students, I encourage you to actively seek to find your space, find your voice, and find your purpose. Together, they can motivate you to become the scholar you want to become and make your time at UCI much more meaningful. I would also like to encourage everyone to really get out of the ´´UCI bubble´´ and go into the surrounding communities and get a sense of the realities many people have to endure on a daily basis. Lastly, I encourage incoming students to not be afraid to get involved in campus, it can make your UCI experience much more memorable.
Jacqueline Fuentes
Undergraduate, University of California Irvine
Department of Sociology and Criminology, Law, and Society