As a first-generation college student and an immigrant, I face unique challenges that go beyond the typical academic hurdles. Learning English at an older age has been one of the most significant obstacles. Navigating the academic system without any real guidance has been incredibly tough. There is a lot more to being a first-generation student that is not addressed. Some, like myself, have to figure out how to get scholarships that fit our needs, how to build connections, and how to find beneficial opportunities. At the University of Connecticut, where I am majoring in Psychology, I have had to learn to balance my studies with the responsibilities of everyday life. This includes self-sufficiently funding my food, housing, and travel expenses. I have had to work multiple jobs to pay for school out of pocket. Currently, I am a Waterpark Supervisor at Lake Compounce and a Residential Counselor at EduExplora. These jobs not only help me financially but also teach me valuable skills in leadership and counseling, which are relevant to my major. The challenge of managing my time between work and studies has been significant. My high school GPA was 3.9, but maintaining a high GPA in college has been more difficult, and my current GPA is 3.06. Despite this, I remain committed to my education and my goal of becoming a psychologist. Playing soccer and volleyball has also helped me manage stress and stay focused. One of the biggest challenges has been the lack of a support system. As a first-generation student, I do not have family members who can truly guide me through the college experience. This means I have had to rely on myself to figure out the best ways to succeed academically and personally. It has been a journey of trial and error, but each challenge has made me stronger and more determined. The long-term reward and satisfaction of overcoming these challenges are what motivate me to keep going. I know that my hard work and perseverance will pay off in the end. The struggles I face now will only make my success that much sweeter. Winning this scholarship would be a tremendous help in easing some of the financial burdens and allowing me to focus more on my studies and personal growth. Thank you for considering my application.

As a first-generation college student and an immigrant, I face unique challenges that go beyond the typical academic hurdles. Learning English at an older age has been one of the most significant obstacles. Navigating the academic system without any real guidance has been incredibly tough. There is a lot more to being a first-generation student that is not addressed. Some, like myself, have to figure out how to get scholarships that fit our needs, how to build connections, and how to find beneficial opportunities. At the University of Connecticut, where I am majoring in Psychology, I have had to learn to balance my studies with the responsibilities of everyday life. This includes self-sufficiently funding my food, housing, and travel expenses. I have had to work multiple jobs to pay for school out of pocket. Currently, I am a Waterpark Supervisor at Lake Compounce and a Residential Counselor at EduExplora. These jobs not only help me financially but also teach me valuable skills in leadership and counseling, which are relevant to my major. The challenge of managing my time between work and studies has been significant. My high school GPA was 4.0, but maintaining a high GPA in college has been more difficult, and my current GPA is 3.06. Despite this, I remain committed to my education and my goal of becoming a psychologist. Playing soccer and volleyball has also helped me manage stress and stay focused. One of the biggest challenges has been the lack of a support system. As a first-generation student, I do not have family members who can truly guide me through the college experience. This means I have had to rely on myself to figure out the best ways to succeed academically and personally. It has been a journey of trial and error, but each challenge has made me stronger and more determined. My continuous fight for not only myself but my family and upcoming generations will continue to be a priority and goal. The long-term reward and satisfaction of overcoming these challenges are what motivate me to keep going. I know that my hard work and perseverance will pay off in the end. The struggles I face now will only make my success that much sweeter. Winning this scholarship would be a tremendous help in easing some of the financial burdens and allowing me to focus more on my studies and personal growth. Thank you for considering my application.

As a first-generation college student and an immigrant, I face unique challenges that go beyond the typical academic hurdles. Learning English at an older age has been one of the most significant obstacles. Navigating the academic system without any real guidance has been incredibly tough. There is a lot more to being a first-generation student that is not addressed. Some, like myself, have to figure out how to get scholarships that fit our needs, how to build connections, and how to find beneficial opportunities. At the University of Connecticut, where I am majoring in Psychology, I have had to learn to balance my studies with the responsibilities of everyday life. This includes self-sufficiently funding my food, housing, and travel expenses. I have had to work multiple jobs to pay for school out of pocket. Currently, I am a Waterpark Supervisor at Lake Compounce and a Residential Counselor at EduExplora. These jobs not only help me financially but also teach me valuable skills in leadership and counseling, which are relevant to my major. The challenge of managing my time between work and studies has been significant. My high school GPA was 3.9, but maintaining a high GPA in college has been more difficult, and my current GPA is 3.06. Despite this, I remain committed to my education and my goal of becoming a psychologist. Playing soccer and volleyball has also helped me manage stress and stay focused. One of the biggest challenges has been the lack of a support system. As a first-generation student, I do not have family members who can truly guide me through the college experience. This means I have had to rely on myself to figure out the best ways to succeed academically and personally. It has been a journey of trial and error, but each challenge has made me stronger and more determined. My mental health is important because it affects every part of my life. Without good mental health, I would not be able to handle the pressures of school, work, and life in general. To maintain my mental wellness, I make sure to stay active by playing soccer and volleyball. These sports help me relieve stress and keep me physically fit. I also try to maintain a balanced diet and get enough sleep, even when my schedule is hectic. Another way I maintain my mental health is by setting realistic goals and breaking them down into smaller tasks. This helps me stay organized and reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed. I also make time for activities that I enjoy, such as reading and spending time with friends. These activities give me a break from my responsibilities and help me recharge. The long-term reward and satisfaction of overcoming these challenges are what motivate me to keep going. I know that my hard work and perseverance will pay off in the end. The struggles I face now will only make my success that much sweeter. Winning this scholarship would be a tremendous help in easing some of the financial burdens and allowing me to focus more on my studies and personal growth. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, Josel Alves

As a first-generation college student and an immigrant, I face unique challenges that go beyond the typical academic hurdles. Learning English at an older age has been one of the most significant obstacles. Navigating the academic system without any real guidance has been incredibly tough. There is a lot more to being a first-generation student that is not addressed. Some, like myself, have to figure out how to get scholarships that fit our needs, how to build connections, and how to find beneficial opportunities. At the University of Connecticut, where I am majoring in Psychology, I have had to learn to balance my studies with the responsibilities of everyday life. This includes self-sufficiently funding my food, housing, and travel expenses. I have had to work multiple jobs to pay for school out of pocket. Currently, I am a Waterpark Supervisor at Lake Compounce and a Residential Counselor at EduExplora. These jobs not only help me financially but also teach me valuable skills in leadership and counseling, which are relevant to my major. The challenge of managing my time between work and studies has been significant. My high school GPA was 3.9, but maintaining a high GPA in college has been more difficult, and my current GPA is 3.06. Despite this, I remain committed to my education and my goal of becoming a psychologist. Playing soccer and volleyball has also helped me manage stress and stay focused. One of the biggest challenges has been the lack of a support system. As a first-generation student, I do not have family members who can truly guide me through the college experience. This means I have had to rely on myself to figure out the best ways to succeed academically and personally. It has been a journey of trial and error, but each challenge has made me stronger and more determined. My mental health is important because it affects every part of my life. Without good mental health, I would not be able to handle the pressures of school, work, and life in general. To maintain my mental wellness, I make sure to stay active by playing soccer and volleyball. These sports help me relieve stress and keep me physically fit. I also try to maintain a balanced diet and get enough sleep, even when my schedule is hectic. Another way I maintain my mental health is by setting realistic goals and breaking them down into smaller tasks. This helps me stay organized and reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed. I also make time for activities that I enjoy, such as reading and spending time with friends. These activities give me a break from my responsibilities and help me recharge. The long-term reward and satisfaction of overcoming these challenges are what motivate me to keep going. I know that my hard work and perseverance will pay off in the end. The struggles I face now will only make my success that much sweeter. Winning this scholarship would be a tremendous help in easing some of the financial burdens and allowing me to focus more on my studies and personal growth. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, Josel Alves

As a first-generation college student and an immigrant, I face unique challenges that go beyond the typical academic hurdles. Learning English at an older age has been one of the most significant obstacles. Navigating the academic system without any real guidance has been incredibly tough. There is a lot more to being a first-generation student that is not addressed. Some, like myself, have to figure out how to get scholarships that fit our needs, how to build connections, and how to find beneficial opportunities. At the University of Connecticut, where I am majoring in Psychology, I have had to learn to balance my studies with the responsibilities of everyday life. This includes self-sufficiently funding my food, housing, and travel expenses. I have had to work multiple jobs to pay for school out of pocket. Currently, I am a Waterpark Supervisor at Lake Compounce and a Residential Counselor at EduExplora. These jobs not only help me financially but also teach me valuable skills in leadership and counseling, which are relevant to my major. The challenge of managing my time between work and studies has been significant. My high school GPA was 3.9, but maintaining a high GPA in college has been more difficult, and my current GPA is 3.06. Despite this, I remain committed to my education and my goal of becoming a psychologist. Playing soccer and volleyball has also helped me manage stress and stay focused. One of the biggest challenges has been the lack of a support system. As a first-generation student, I do not have family members who can truly guide me through the college experience. This means I have had to rely on myself to figure out the best ways to succeed academically and personally. It has been a journey of trial and error, but each challenge has made me stronger and more determined. My mental health is important because it affects every part of my life. Without good mental health, I would not be able to handle the pressures of school, work, and life in general. To maintain my mental wellness, I make sure to stay active by playing soccer and volleyball. These sports help me relieve stress and keep me physically fit. I also try to maintain a balanced diet and get enough sleep, even when my schedule is hectic. Another way I maintain my mental health is by setting realistic goals and breaking them down into smaller tasks. This helps me stay organized and reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed. I also make time for activities that I enjoy, such as reading and spending time with friends. These activities give me a break from my responsibilities and help me recharge. The long-term reward and satisfaction of overcoming these challenges are what motivate me to keep going. I know that my hard work and perseverance will pay off in the end. The struggles I face now will only make my success that much sweeter. Winning this scholarship would be a tremendous help in easing some of the financial burdens and allowing me to focus more on my studies and personal growth. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, Josel Alves