Studying in the United States and accessing its high-quality, relevant, and life-changing education has always been a dream of mine, especially seeing how it has transformed the lives of many people I know, including my family members. I always knew that I would have to work hard and be attentive to my studies if I wanted to succeed, and I have been doing quite well in this regard. However, as an international student studying in the United States, I have experienced such adversity as a cultural shock, and separation anxiety from being so far away from my loved ones and my support system. I miss my family and friends and especially my 6-year-old son, Racari, even though I speak with him on the phone daily, after he returns home, from school in Barbados. My main challenge however has to do with the fact that as a self-financed junior nursing student I am currently not in the best financial position. I am experiencing difficulties in covering the costs of my tuition, uniforms, textbooks, nursing supplies and essentials, food, housing, and transportation. Although I receive some help from my family members each day seems like a challenge mainly because of my precarious financial situation, although I try hard to stay focused in the pursuit of good grades and my ultimate dream of becoming a specialist nurse. At the moment it takes me an hour and a half to drive from where I currently live to attend classes at my college and sometimes even longer in the evening to get back home. After completing class assignments and studying late into the night, each night I am often very tired by the time I arrive on campus for classes. Although there is some support for international students at my college, I believe this is an area of deficiency. For example, the various work requirements make it quite difficult as an international student to obtain part-time work to help improve my financial situation; and getting help in overcoming the hurdles to accessing part-time employment on campus or elsewhere is quite challenging. This situation can be somewhat depressing especially when you see your peers obtaining employment opportunities on campus, and also being able to access scholarships more readily, as national students. Even when they do try to help me access similar employment opportunities the various work restrictions present a formidable challenge. I do understand the complexity of the situation, but my simple reality is that it is really difficult trying to excel in classes while being adversely impacted by the financial constraints I am facing, notwithstanding my determination to succeed. Receiving this scholarship would significantly increase my chances of being successful in my studies by allowing me to cover some of my financial responsibilities. It would help allow me to be more comfortable and worry less about my finances and concentrate more on my studies. This scholarship would for example possibly help me to access housing opportunities on campus for a semester or two thereby resolving the problem I have with long-distance traveling to and from classes, especially when I have to do clinical at the hospital. I always wanted to be a nurse but I didn't pursue that dream until after the death of my granny, we were very close. She fell ill, and was hospitalized, but she received very poor treatment and got worst and died. That broke my heart and I decided to go back to school to become an RN because I would love the opportunity to assist people with their health. I also would like to be a geriatric NP.

Studying in the United States and accessing its high-quality, relevant, and life-changing education has always been a dream of mine, especially seeing how it has transformed the lives of many people I know, including my family members. I always knew that I would have to work hard and be attentive to my studies if I wanted to succeed, and I have been doing quite well in this regard. However, as an international student studying in the United States, I have experienced such adversity as a cultural shock, and separation anxiety from being so far away from my loved ones and my support system. I miss my family and friends and especially my 6-year-old son, Racari, even though I speak with him on the phone daily, after he returns home, from school in Barbados. My main challenge however has to do with the fact that as a self-financed junior nursing student I am currently not in the best financial position. I am experiencing difficulties in covering the costs of my tuition, uniforms, textbooks, nursing supplies and essentials, food, housing, and transportation. Although I receive some help from my family members each day seems like a challenge mainly because of my precarious financial situation, although I try hard to stay focused in the pursuit of good grades and my ultimate dream of becoming a specialist nurse. At the moment it takes me an hour and a half to drive from where I currently live to attend classes at my college and sometimes even longer in the evening to get back home. After completing class assignments and studying late into the night, each night I am often very tired by the time I arrive on campus for classes. Although there is some support for international students at my college, I believe this is an area of deficiency. For example, the various work requirements make it quite difficult as an international student to obtain part-time work to help improve my financial situation; and getting help in overcoming the hurdles to accessing part-time employment on campus or elsewhere is quite challenging. This situation can be somewhat depressing especially when you see your peers obtaining employment opportunities on campus, and also being able to access scholarships more readily, as national students. Even when they do try to help me access similar employment opportunities the various work restrictions present a formidable challenge. I do understand the complexity of the situation, but my simple reality is that it is really difficult trying to excel in classes while being adversely impacted by the financial constraints I am facing, notwithstanding my determination to succeed. Receiving this scholarship would significantly increase my chances of being successful in my studies by allowing me to cover some of my financial responsibilities. It would help allow me to be more comfortable and worry less about my finances and concentrate more on my studies. This scholarship would for example possibly help me to access housing opportunities on campus for a semester or two thereby resolving the problem I have with long-distance traveling to and from classes, especially when I have to do clinical at the hospital. I enjoy and appreciate the opportunity of being able to attend college in the USA. I have been doing well academically, so far, I have achieved a GPA of 3.625, and I am very proud. The passing of my granny, who raised me, (we were extremely close) inspired my goal, and lead me to start the path of becoming an RN, specifically an ICU nurse, and further my studies, possibly a nurse practitioner, in the near future.

Studying in the United States and accessing its high-quality, relevant, and life-changing education has always been a dream of mine, especially seeing how it has transformed the lives of many people I know, including my family members. I always knew that I would have to work hard and be attentive to my studies if I wanted to succeed, and I have been doing quite well in this regard. However, as an international student studying in the United States, I have experienced such adversity as a cultural shock, and separation anxiety from being so far away from my loved ones and my support system. I miss my family and friends and especially my 6-year-old son, Racari, even though I speak with him on the phone daily, after he returns home, from school in Barbados. My main challenge however has to do with the fact that as a self-financed junior nursing student I am currently not in the best financial position. I am experiencing difficulties in covering the costs of my tuition, uniforms, textbooks, nursing supplies and essentials, food, housing, and transportation. Although I receive some help from my family members each day seems like a challenge mainly because of my precarious financial situation, although I try hard to stay focused in the pursuit of good grades and my ultimate dream of becoming a specialist nurse. At the moment it takes me an hour and a half to drive from where I currently live to attend classes at my college and sometimes even longer in the evening to get back home. After completing class assignments and studying late into the night, each night I am often very tired by the time I arrive on campus for classes. Although there is some support for international students at my college, I believe this is an area of deficiency. For example, the various work requirements make it quite difficult as an international student to obtain part-time work to help improve my financial situation; and getting help in overcoming the hurdles to accessing part-time employment on campus or elsewhere is quite challenging. This situation can be somewhat depressing especially when you see your peers obtaining employment opportunities on campus, and also being able to access scholarships more readily, as national students. Even when they do try to help me access similar employment opportunities the various work restrictions present a formidable challenge. I do understand the complexity of the situation, but my simple reality is that it is really difficult trying to excel in classes while being adversely impacted by the financial constraints I am facing, notwithstanding my determination to succeed. Receiving this scholarship would significantly increase my chances of being successful in my studies by allowing me to cover some of my financial responsibilities. It would help allow me to be more comfortable and worry less about my finances and concentrate more on my studies. This scholarship would for example possibly help me to access housing opportunities on campus for a semester or two thereby resolving the problem I have with long-distance traveling to and from classes, especially when I have to do clinical at the hospital. I enjoy and appreciate the opportunity of being able to attend college in the USA. I have been doing well academically, so far, I have achieved a GPA of 3.625, and for that, I am very proud. I would love the opportunity to continue and complete my studies and accomplish my goal of becoming a registered nurse, and further my studies, in becoming a medical doctor in the near future.

Studying in the United States and accessing its high-quality, relevant, and life-changing education has always been a dream of mine, especially seeing how it has transformed the lives of many people I know, including my family members. I am proud to be enrolled in a BSN program in the USA. I always knew that I would have to work hard and be attentive to my studies if I wanted to succeed, and I have been doing quite well in this regard. As an international student studying in the United States, I have experienced cultural shock, and separation anxiety from being so far away from my loved ones and my support system. I miss my family and friends and especially my 6-year-old son, Racari, even though I speak with him on the phone daily, after he returns home, from school in Barbados. My main challenge however has to do with the fact that as a self-financed junior nursing student I am currently not in the best financial position. I am experiencing difficulties in covering the costs of my tuition, uniforms, textbooks, nursing supplies and essentials, food, housing, and transportation. Although I receive some help from my family members each day seems like a challenge mainly because of my precarious financial situation, although I try hard to stay focused in the pursuit of good grades and my ultimate dream of becoming a specialist nurse. At the moment it takes me an hour and a half to drive from where I currently live to attend classes at my college and sometimes even longer in the evening to get back home. After completing class assignments and studying late into the night, each night I am often very tired by the time I arrive on campus for classes. Although there is some support for international students at my college, I believe this is an area of deficiency. For example, the various work requirements make it quite difficult as an international student to obtain part-time work to help improve my financial situation; and getting help in overcoming the hurdles to accessing part-time employment on campus or elsewhere is quite challenging. This situation can be somewhat depressing especially when you see your peers obtaining employment opportunities on campus, and also being able to access scholarships more readily, as national students. Even when they do try to help me access similar employment opportunities the various work restrictions present a formidable challenge. I do understand the complexity of the situation, but my simple reality is that it is really difficult trying to excel in classes while being adversely impacted by the financial constraints I am facing, notwithstanding my determination to succeed. Receiving this scholarship would significantly increase my chances of being successful in my studies by allowing me to cover some of my financial responsibilities. It would help allow me to be more comfortable and worry less about my finances and concentrate more on my studies. This scholarship would for example possibly help me to access housing opportunities on campus for a semester or two thereby resolving the problem I have with long-distance traveling to and from classes, especially when I have to do clinical at the hospital. I enjoy and appreciate the opportunity of being able to attend college in the USA. With my education, I will become a registered nurse and I will be able to use the skills and knowledge earned to take care of the patients at home. I look forward to introducing these, to my country, to enhance the healthcare of my country, especially since there is a dire need for nurses back home.

I can relate to Malgorzata's challenges, I am a Caribbean woman and single mother who migrated to the USA with little to no support, with the aim of becoming a registered nurse. I always knew that I would have to work hard and be attentive to my studies if I wanted to succeed, and I have been doing quite well in this regard. However, as an international student studying in the United States, I have experienced such adversity as a cultural shock, and separation anxiety from being so far away from my loved ones and my support system. I miss my family and friends and especially my 6-year-old son, Racari, even though I speak with him on the phone daily, after he returns home, from school in Barbados. My main challenge however has to do with the fact that as a self-financed junior nursing student I am currently not in the best financial position. I am experiencing difficulties in covering the costs of my tuition, uniforms, textbooks, nursing supplies and essentials, food, housing, and transportation. Although I receive some help from my family members each day seems like a challenge mainly because of my precarious financial situation, although I try hard to stay focused in the pursuit of good grades and my ultimate dream of becoming a specialist nurse. At the moment it takes me an hour and a half to drive from where I currently live to attend classes at my college and sometimes even longer in the evening to get back home. After completing class assignments and studying late into the night, each night I am often very tired by the time I arrive on campus for classes. Although there is some support for international students at my college, I believe that this is an area of deficiency. For example, the various work requirements make it quite difficult as an international student to obtain part-time work to help improve my financial situation; and getting help in overcoming the hurdles to accessing part-time employment on campus or elsewhere is quite challenging. This situation can be somewhat depressing especially when you see your peers obtaining employment opportunities on campus, and also being able to access scholarships more readily, as national students. Even when they do try to help me access similar employment opportunities the various work restrictions present a formidable challenge. I do understand the complexity of the situation, but my simple reality is that it is really difficult trying to excel in classes while being adversely impacted by the financial constraints I am facing, notwithstanding my determination to succeed. Receiving this scholarship would significantly increase my chances of being successful in my studies by allowing me to cover some of my financial responsibilities. It would help allow me to be more comfortable and worry less about my finances and concentrate more on my studies. This scholarship would for example possibly help me to access housing opportunities on campus for a semester or two thereby resolving the problem I have with long-distance traveling to and from classes, especially when I have to do clinical at the hospital. I consider being like her with my extreme determination, against the obstacles faced. I enjoy and appreciate the opportunity of being able to attend college in the USA. I have been doing well academically, I have achieved a GPA of 3.625, and I am very proud. I would love the opportunity to continue and complete my studies and accomplish my goal of becoming a registered nurse, and further my studies, in becoming an advanced nurse, possibly a nurse practitioner, in the near future.

Studying in the United States and being able to access its high-quality, relevant, and life-changing education has always been a dream of mine, especially having seen how it has transformed the lives of many people I know, including my family members. I always knew that I would have to work hard and be attentive to my studies if I wanted to succeed, and I have been doing quite well in this regard. However, as an international student studying in the United States, I have experienced such adversity as a cultural shock, and separation anxiety from being so far away from my loved ones and my support system. I miss my family and friends and especially my 6-year-old son, Racari, even though I speak with him on the phone daily, after he returns home, from school in Barbados. My main challenge however has to do with the fact that as a self-financed junior nursing student I am currently not in the best financial position. I am experiencing difficulties in covering the costs of my tuition, uniforms, textbooks, nursing supplies and essentials, food, housing, and transportation. Although I receive some help from my family members each day seems like a challenge mainly because of my precarious financial situation, although I try hard to stay focused in the pursuit of good grades and my ultimate dream of becoming a specialist nurse. At the moment it takes me an hour and a half to drive from where I currently live to attend classes at my college and sometimes even longer in the evening to get back home. After completing class assignments and studying late into the night, each night I am often very tired by the time I arrive on campus for classes. Although there is some support for international students at my college, I believe that this is an area of deficiency. For example, the various work requirements make it quite difficult as an international student to obtain part-time work to help improve my financial situation; and getting help in overcoming the hurdles to accessing part-time employment on campus or elsewhere is quite challenging. This situation can be somewhat depressing especially when you see your peers obtaining employment opportunities on campus, and also being able to access scholarships more readily, as national students. Even when they do try to help me access similar employment opportunities the various work restrictions present a formidable challenge. I do understand the complexity of the situation, but my simple reality is that it is really difficult trying to excel in classes while being adversely impacted by the financial constraints I am facing, notwithstanding my determination to succeed. Receiving this scholarship would significantly increase my chances of being successful in my studies by allowing me to cover some of my financial responsibilities. It would help allow me to be more comfortable and worry less about my finances and concentrate more on my studies. This scholarship would for example possibly help me to access housing opportunities on campus for a semester or two thereby resolving the problem I have with long-distance traveling to and from classes, especially when I have to do clinical at the hospital. I enjoy and appreciate the opportunity of being able to attend college in the USA. I have been doing well academically, so far, I have achieved a GPA of 3.625, and for that, I am very proud. I would love the opportunity to continue and complete my studies and accomplish my goal of becoming a registered nurse, and further my studies, in becoming an advanced nurse, possibly a nurse practitioner, in the near future.

My name is Ash-Lee Marshall, I am a junior student nurse at CSU. I have chosen this area to study and train after the loss of my granny. My granny was ill and hospitalized and did not receive the best care from her health providers, and I wished I could have done more to help nurse her back to good health. Watching her having to endure a lack of care from nurses and doctors was very hurtful to me and y family. Unfortunately, my granny passed away 24hs after being discharged, so she died at home and I literally watched her take her last breath, which was painful to watch but was even more painful for her to endure. I lost a very influential person, that played a major role in my life growing up. The treatment she endured, her illness, and her death, encouraged me to apply to a registered nursing program. I want to learn, train and gain knowledge and experience, to be the best nurse I can possibly be. I also want to play a major role in the lives of others. Increasing their chances of living a healthier life. Being able to teach others how to prevent illnesses, manage illnesses, and be compliant with their modes of therapy and treatment. The treatment my granny received will never leave my memory. For that reason, I want to fight for others and be a patient advocate, especially for those who cannot advocate for themselves. I want to fight for myself and my family, as well as patients and their families, to ensure that they receive the best care possible and make them feel heard and valued. I want to become a nurse and represent nurses and patients of color, as we are not represented as well as we would like to be. I also want to be a part of the philanthropy world by playing a major role and making a positive impact on the lives of others. I plan to fight and push through all odds and challenges of life, to achieve all my dreams and goals, with my granny in mind. I plan to stay focused, determined, disciplined, and consistent. I plan to become a travel nurse as well as become a nurse practitioner in the near future. I plan to go all out with my journey of nursing, to help people like my granny. I want to be known as and remembered as the nurse who went all out for her patients and had their best interests at heart. In the near future, I plan to even have a scholarship for students in honor of my grandmother.

Hey, I'm Ms. Ash-Lee Marshall, I am a first-generation student and feel blessed about that. I am very ambitious, I try not to be fearful and limit myself. I want not to make not only myself proud, but also my family, especially my son. I am trying to be a living example to my son, and show him that beyond the sky, is the limit, and that life can be unique, beautiful, and limitless. Yes, circumstances may make us feel as if we lack, this feeling is normal and natural, as human beings, however, we should never allow ourselves to feel this way long term and deter us from reaching our fullest potential in life. For a while, I felt less than because I held myself to the expectations of others and the media, and felt as if I should have achieved and attained more for my age, and that I don't have much to offer and hand down to my son. Now I am super focused, highly driven, dedicated, persistent, consistent, disciplined, task-oriented, and a team player. I enjoy writing, and journaling, I script all my dreams and goals, wants and needs, and read/say them daily, as a routine of self-motivation and encouragement. I also like to do this in the presents of my son, as a way of setting an example for him. I often watch and admire people of color and how they work towards elevating themselves in life. I aspire to follow in their footsteps and elevate my life also. My family works very hard to maintain their lives and they have been very helpful to me and my son also. I want to pursue all my goals and dream to prove to myself and them that in life you can achieve all you want and more, no matter the situation, circumstance, or background. I refuse to allow past experiences, and failures to be a label and a definition of me and my life. I will push through and move forward in life no matter what happens, no matter setbacks and challenges. People often say better late than never....late? Late for who? Who determines if something is late for me or not? This is my time to grow and shine and elevate, and I will continue to do so, with my end goal in mind. I am currently a junior nursing student for a BSN degree and I aspire to be a travel nurse and later become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Life can be as long and as beautiful and as successful, as you make it, make it count!