At eleven years old, I stood locked away in my bedroom. In silence, I clasped my favorite stuffed animal to distract myself from the commotion. Nonetheless, I knew what was happening: my mom and I were moving away. Living in Puerto Rico became emotionally and financially draining. My mom wanted a fresh start for us both in a new place. One without thinking of my "dad," the legal battles for child support, and the empty promises he made of being there for me. A new beginning without the heartbreak we endured is exactly what we needed. Living without a father meant money was tight, and my mom worked two jobs. Our situation proved even more complicated once we moved to the United States. We had to leave our family, our beloved community, and the familiar surroundings of our neighborhood. Nevertheless, we sold most of our belongings, bought two one-way tickets to Chicago, and arrived with two suitcases and a head full of dreams. When I started school, my mom found a job during the night-time, and I had to learn to take care of myself. I tended to household chores and completed my homework while my mom worked. I translated for her when she needed it; she loved me unconditionally. With little family around us, we did what we had to do. We were a team. Over time, I grew determined to improve our lives. Without a father figure to teach me the things a father would, I became my own teacher. I learned how to speak and write in English, ride a bike, play volleyball, and even overcome my fear of public speaking. I became resourceful; fixing my laptop whenever it broke down and helping my peers write essays in my second language. I became as independent as I could to lessen the time and money my mom had spent raising me. This independence sparked a fire in me to continue self-improvement. This started with me working to maintain straight A's. I became the first student in my graduating class to take and pass Spanish 4 as a sophomore. I moved on to challenge myself by completing the IB Diploma program, a program in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research, and undertake a community service project. I was then inspired to help others. I've worked with Penedo Charitable Organization for over five years to empower at-risk girls to grow into empowered women. I became a Chicago Scholar, an organization that aims to help underserved youth transition to and through college to productive careers. I've tutored people of all ages in Spanish, English, leadership skills, dance, and more. As the captain of Mock Trial, I've led practices crafted to push my peers and counseled friends going through similar circumstances. Also, as the president of Spanish Club, I've organized school-wide fundraisers, club meetings, and events to bring the Latinx community together. I'm proud of all I've done, but there's much for me to do; I haven't ice skated, designed a home, explored workplace productivity and management, or become an influential Industrial-Organizational psychologist yet. Transitioning from Puerto Rico to the United States and growing up in a single-parent, low-income home taught me to appreciate all of life's trials. I learned lessons of independence and perseverance. Joining clubs and teams opened my mind and made me aware of the problems facing my community. I plan to use my past experiences and those forthcoming to start a career as an Industrial-Organizational psychologist, solving problems in the workplace and improving the quality of life of those around me.