Immigrants are a valuable source to the community and the economy. I see immigrants as silent partners, the ones who are never talked about but are the roots of success. I first came to the united states back in 2013 as an F1 student, excited, ambitious, and ready to take over the world. My major at the time was nursing. For as long as I could remember that is all I wanted to do. There was no other profession I even dared to consider. Although I was afraid of the unexpected. I was confident that my dreams will finally come true in the land of opportunity. Three months after my arrival, I was withdrawn, sad, and alone. I missed my family and I had no one to reach out or talk to. I cried myself to sleep many nights thinking I made a huge mistake in leaving my homeland Barbados and coming to a place I barely knew anything about. This continued for another month until I met a wonderful friend at the time, who took me under her wings and helped me adjust to a world that I simply wasn't used to. Each day, I pushed myself to keep going and reminded myself that I wasn't here for me, but also my family. They were so proud of me and I couldn't let them down. That was not an option for me. My depression went on for months, even after meeting my friend, simply because depression does not magically disappear. However, I made it my mission to reach out to others and utilize the available services to help immigrants like me. It wasn't easy but it eventually made a huge difference in my life. In my sophomore year, I switched from nursing to social Work. A career path that I never imagined would be my journey. Social work eventually became my source of inspiration and a profession I used greatly to my advantage as an immigrant. I was able to learn of the many resources available to not only help myself but others around me. Now that I am a graduate student completing my MSW, I hope to use the skills learned in my profession and from experience to help other immigrants like myself. Ironically my focus is mental health and I truly believe this is where I should be. Mental health is overlooked by so many and sadly still stigmatized. I hope to one day create a space for not only immigrants but for the community at large to adequately deal with any mental issues they have experienced or may be experiencing. The only way to eliminate these issues is if we all work together as a community. If I am so honored to win this scholarship I will continue to be that beacon of hope within the community.