When I first began going to school in the United States, I realized that to truly excel I would have to lose a piece of my culture. The curriculum was significantly different from what I had learned in Cuba, and even simple steps like division looked completely foreign to me. I also quickly realized that in order to socialize with other children I would have to learn English and leave Spanish at home, only to be spoken with my family. It felt as if I could not simultaneously express my heritage and fit in with my more “americanized” peers. The culture shock certainly hit me, but over time it became less of a shock and more of a regular occurrence. My parents never told me to abandon my culture to fit in, but they did emphasize that I had to obtain a college degree. I would constantly hear stories about cousins who did not attend university back in Cuba, or how others in my native country would die to be in my position. Would I be considered a failure if I chose a path other than a college education? For as long as I could remember, my family had urged me to do “good” at school. When I was younger, I failed to grasp why it was so important for me to complete my math homework, or to stay on the honor roll, or to even attend school in the first place. As I grew older, I realized that my academic success was a testament to the significance of my parents’ sacrifice: leaving Cuba and everything they knew behind. I left Cuba at a young age, and although there was not much I was leaving behind, my parents left behind everything. Both my parents had immediate family in Cuba that they left behind solely to start a new life for me in the United States. I am eternally grateful for my Latino heritage because it has pushed me to recognize all the valuable opportunities I have. My parents’ emphasis on education has pushed me to be an ambitious person, always aiming for more, and always trying to seek out new opportunities. Ultimately, their influence did lead me to concentrate on my schooling and stay on track towards a college degree. The degrees I am currently pursuing are a BA in psychology and a BS in behavioral neuroscience. Once I complete my dual degrees, I want to enter a graduate program focusing on neuroscience or rehabilitative medicine. When I obtain my graduate degree, I plan to open my own non-profit rehabilitation center for those facing addiction. I would like to play a role in helping those within my community who are suffering from addiction by giving low-cost treatment and resources. People undergoing such struggles like addiction simply need the adequate support and resources, which many of them do not have access to. I want to be able to give them the access to these tools in order to improve their lives and benefit the Miami community as a whole. My career goals and ambitions would have never been possible had it not been for my parents’ decision to immigrate. I have never lost the connection to my Latino heritage, although it has definitely been tested at times. I am appreciative and proud of my Cuban heritage; I am even more appreciative of the values instilled in me by my family to work hard and take advantage of all the opportunities presented to me. To me, my strong connection to my heritage has been the driving factor behind my passion for education.