Being born in New York City I have been around many different cultures, languages, and ethnicities and living near the "melting pot" of the city has brought me lots of attention and has given me a closer interest to learn about my own culture and identity as a Filipino American. Being born in Manhattan, New York to two Filipino immigrant parents I have learned and been taught many different life lessons from them growing up. As a college freshman, my Filipino-American identity has influenced my purpose in life in many different ways and more than I could've imagined. Growing up, I didn't think of my Filipino identity much due to how I knew I was different then other kids and at times got made fun of for being different from what I used to get packed for lunch or what I liked as a Filipino throughout elementary and middle school. But this did not stop me for what I believed what my identity was unique rather than "lame" or "uncool". But from the start of freshman year and the rest of high school, my view of my identity was much broader and has made me embrace my culture and have made me more proud of being Filipino. I believed this has evolved from my freshman year to my senior year of high school due to how my parents would always remind me to work hard to get a good career and to live comfortably and to make them proud. Usually, this is what every kid would usually hear from their parent but they would also mention that I am a Filipino and Filipinos work hard and don't give up. This has not just encouraged me but motivated me more to reach the summit in life. To become the best person I can be in this life. This brought me to studying finance at the university of Quinnipiac where it has brought a lot of the goals closer to achieve in my future in the field and my career which overall just fuels my drive to keep pushing and keep pursuing what I want my future to look like. This motivation of identity has influenced my purpose in life by dreaming big and achieving big. Some of these things I have achieved would be starting a small business of reselling shoes throughout my high school years. To meeting many different big business owners and learned lots of advice and tips to hopefully open my own business in the future. But my big plans currently would be retiring my parents soon, While my biggest project I have been building up for a while would be renovating a large area of my mother's home island in Lubang, Tilik in the Philippines due to how some residents are living in poor living spaces which has been my biggest ambition and always trying to find ways on how can I make my dreams a reality. Having this goal come into fruition can make a truly massive impact that can send waves to the entirety of the Philippines that can sprout change.

Being born in New York City I have been around many different cultures, languages, and ethnicities and living near the "melting pot" of the city has brought me lots of attention and has given me a closer interest to learn about my own culture and identity as a Filipino American. Being born in Manhattan, New York to two Filipino immigrant parents I have learned and been taught many different life lessons from them growing up. As a college freshman, my Filipino-American identity has influenced my purpose in life in many different ways and more than I could've imagined. Growing up, I didn't think of my Filipino identity much due to how I knew I was different then other kids and at times got made fun of for being different from what I used to get packed for lunch or what I liked as a Filipino throughout elementary and middle school. But this did not stop me for what I believed what my identity was unique rather than "lame" or "uncool". But from the start of freshman year and the rest of high school, my view of my identity was much broader and has made me embrace my culture and have made me more proud of being Filipino. I believed this has evolved from my freshman year to my senior year of high school due to how my parents would always remind me to work hard to get a good career and to live comfortably and to make them proud. Usually, this is what every kid would usually hear from their parent but they would also mention that I am a Filipino and Filipinos work hard and don't give up. This has not just encouraged me but motivated me more to reach the summit in life. To become the best person I can be in this life. This brought me to studying finance at the university of Quinnipiac where it has brought a lot of the goals closer to achieve in my future in the field and my career which overall just fuels my drive to keep pushing and keep pursuing what I want my future to look like. This motivation of identity has influenced my purpose in life by dreaming big and achieving big. Some of these things I have achieved would be starting a small business of reselling shoes throughout my high school years. To meeting many different big business owners and learned lots of advice and tips to hopefully open my own business in the future. But my big plans currently would be retiring my parents soon, While my biggest project I have been building up for a while would be renovating a large area of my mother's home island in Lubang, Tilik in the Philippines due to how some residents are living in poor living spaces which has been my biggest ambition and always trying to find ways on how can I make my dreams a reality. Having this goal come into fruition can make a truly massive impact that can send waves to the entirety of the Philippines that can sprout change.

For me as a Quinnipiac University finance student, education is about laying the groundwork for a bright and meaningful future, not just about learning new things. Finance is essentially the study of how to manage resources, and schooling gives me the skills I need to successfully navigate this complex environment. It gives me the ability to effectively manage both my personal finances and the financial well-being of others. Beyond the classroom, financial education has enormous importance. It helps me develop my critical thinking abilities, which enable me to evaluate complicated information, identify trends, and come to wise judgments. Because the financial markets are dynamic, it is essential to have critical thinking skills in order to adjust to shifting conditions. I've developed my ability to analyze risk, evaluate financial data, and create strategies through demanding coursework. These abilities are necessary to navigate the rapidly changing financial industry, where fresh possibilities and difficulties appear on a regular basis. There is more to finance education than just math and spreadsheets. It explores the human aspect and helps me comprehend the psychology of financial choices. Behavioral finance courses have helped me become more aware of the variables influencing people's saving, spending, and investing decisions. This information is priceless because it enables me to customize financial plans and advice to meet the needs and circumstances of each client. Knowing the "why" behind financial decisions helps you guide clients toward long-term wealth building or assist them in managing their debt. This understanding produces more successful and compassionate outcomes. Quinnipiac University's financial program encourages group learning. Group projects and class discussions offer an opportunity for idea sharing, exposure to a variety of viewpoints, and improvement of communication abilities. Collaborating with others helps me hone my skills in clearly and succinctly communicating intricate financial ideas. This is an important ability since, in the financial industry, developing rapport and trust with customers and colleagues depends on efficient communication. There is more to my education than just textbooks and seminars. Quinnipiac University gives students access to industry experts, guest lecturers, and internship opportunities. These practical experiences help me to connect theory and practice, enabling me to apply what I've learned in the classroom to real-world financial situations. In particular, internships provide priceless insight into the inner workings of the financial industry, giving me a peek into possible career routes and cultivating important professional relationships within a personal experience of talking to financial giants from Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase into having future internship opportunities within the coming year.  Even if money may be the main goal, finance education places a strong emphasis on the moral issues that occur in the field of finance. Sustainable investing and corporate social responsibility are topics covered in detail in corporate finance and financial markets courses. This gives me a strong feeling of duty and responsibility, making sure that financial decisions take into account the effects on society and the environment in addition to profit. A lifetime of learning is waiting for those who want a career in finance, and Quinnipiac University has given me the resources and curiosity to get started ever since coming to this institution. Along with my technical capabilities, I also bring with me an ethical framework, critical thinking, and analytical abilities when I graduate and enter the job market. With the help of this foundation, I will be able to effectively navigate the complexity of the financial world, make wise judgments, secure a bright future for my customers and myself, and eventually improve the financial health of those around us who may need the help and expertise that we have.

My name is Gabriel Delos Santos, I am currently a sophomore in college pursuing a major in Finance at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. One extracurricular activity I participated in would be a fraternity, which brought me closer to a lot of new people at this school. Some of my goals are to graduate from this school and possibly pursue a master's degree possibly back in my home of New York City. But studying here, I aim every semester/year to be in the top percentage of students within completing the school year. Some long-term goals in the future that I can bring to fruition would be to provide better housing and living quality in multiple sections of my parent's province in the Philippines. Along with creating a project to rebuild a large section of the current living spaces on the island of Lubang. I believe that in everyone's life, there have always been adversity or hurdles that people have had to go through but overcame it with a sense of accomplishment and lessons they have taken in while going through their barricades of hard times. One of the biggest challenges that I have overcome would be the passing of my Grandmother. Although she had not lived in the United States with my family, we would always visit her when we got the chance if we were to go back to my parent's home in the Philippines. But after hearing about her passing, it had been a very hard time for me to get motivated, and have the drive to finish assignments or go to class. I understand it took time for me to heal from hearing the bad news. But as time went by I realized that knowing her, she would not have wanted to see me in that state mentally and physically. But realizing that she wanted me, her kids, and grandkids to succeed, and talking to my parents has given me motivation back due to how they have always been there to support me ever since I had dreams about what I wanted to do. Hearing what my parents have said in trying to build me back up, something they have told me that I would never forget would be to look in the face of adversity and take it head on rather than running away. This was something I heard and would never take for granted again. Listening to motivation from my family and the willpower I had to get back at my feet has been a hard challenge but I realized in my life that it goes on and does not stop for anyone. Overcoming this adversity/misfortune has made me a stronger person mentally, physically, and emotionally I saw the results within the school by being motivated to go to class and receive high marks and out of school by going to the gym and seeing progress within myself from what I used to look like compared to the now. I believe that any student can overcome adversity, all they need is a little push and they can accomplish anything once they get into the right mindset.

Being born in New York City I have been around many different cultures, languages, and ethnicities and living near the "melting pot" of the city has brought me lots of attention and has given me a closer interest to learn about my own culture and identity as a Filipino American. Being born in Manhattan, New York to two Filipino immigrant parents I have learned and been taught many different life lessons from them growing up. As a college freshman, my Filipino-American identity has influenced my purpose in life in many different ways and more than I could've imagined. Growing up, I didn't think of my Filipino identity much due to how I knew I was different then other kids and at times got made fun of for being different from what I used to get packed for lunch or what I liked as a Filipino throughout elementary and middle school. But from the start of freshman year and the rest of high school, my view of my identity was much broader and has made me embrace my culture and have made me more proud of being Filipino. I believed this has evolved from my freshman year to my senior year of high school due to how my parents would always remind me to work hard to get a good career and to live comfortably and to make them proud. Usually, this is what every kid would usually hear from their parent but they would also mention that I am a Filipino and Filipinos work hard and don't give up. This has not just encouraged me but motivated me more to reach the summit in life. To become the best person I can be in this life. This motivation of identity has influenced my purpose in life by dreaming big and achieving big. Some of these things I have achieved would be starting a small business of reselling shoes throughout my high school years. To meeting many different big business owners and learned lots of advice and tips to hopefully open my own business in the future. But my big plans currently would be retiring my parents soon, While my biggest project I have been building up for a while would be renovating a large area of my mother's home island in Lubang, Tilik in the Philippines due to how some residents are living in poor living spaces.