The distance between El Salvador and the United States is 1,411 miles, a distance I walked from May to July of 2016. My life in El Salvador was one of innocence. What was, in reality, a bus ride through an altercation involving firearms became, through my grandma’s loving words, an adventure where I had to duck to avoid swarming bugs. We created these innocent stories to maintain a sense of safety, but moments like this, where I had no control over my security, were all too common. After nine years of living with my grandmother, a hard choice surfaced: I could remain in the only home I knew, or take a risk for a new life in the United States. I chose the latter. Upon arriving in the United States, I quickly realized that I had merely traded one form of impotence for another. As an undocumented immigrant, I faced the same struggles in different guises–unable to get a job due to an expired work permit, ineligible for a driver’s license, unable to receive federal student aid, and unable to travel overseas to see my loved ones; the list goes on. However, there was one significant difference in my newfound home–education was accessible. Thus for the nine years I’ve been in the U.S., I’ve sought to seize every educational opportunity, knowing that knowledge is my way out of limitations. From learning English and breaking down language barriers, getting accepted into programs that gave me stipends when I needed money the most, utilizing my strong academic performance to bolster my juvenile visa application, and traveling to the east coast for sleep-away programs that allowed me to visit my loved ones–education has been my tool to combat inability, granting me fulfillment and immense growth, particularly through my time in D.C. During my junior year, I attended the School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) in Washington, D.C. This experience validated my sacrifices, as I evolved from a powerless observer to an active participant in creating change. Whether drafting a collaborative policy document on Haitian governance or developing a social venture project for my school, I gained a sense of competence that felt transformative. SEGL reinforced that my journey had a purpose; I was now equipped to effect change for my community. The fulfillment I experienced in D.C. inspired me to push further. The following summer, I traveled back to Washington for the Summer Science Program at Georgetown University, where I delved into antibiotic resistance research. Studying Vibrio natriegens and its resistance to Erythromycin, I recognized the broader impact that scientific knowledge could have in protecting overlooked communities like my own. Today, I am dedicated to using my education to uplift vulnerable communities; I’ve initiated projects like SaludHubHouston.com, an online health resource for the Hispanic community, and organized STEM events at my school to inspire bright minds. As I continue this journey, I remain grateful for the educational opportunities I’ve had and ready to take on more miles in service of my goals.