Being a first generation college student means everything to me. Coming from Costa Rica, I have always dreamed of studying in the United States to build a better future for myself and my family. My parents never had the opportunity to attend college, so being here represents more than just my education it represents their sacrifices, my hard work, and the hope of changing our story for the next generation. Every challenge I face reminds me that I am not only doing this for myself, but for everyone who believes in me. When I arrived in the U.S. to study at Herkimer College, it was both exciting and difficult. As an international student, adapting to a new language, culture, and lifestyle was not easy. I miss my family deeply, but I stay motivated knowing they are proud of me. I play soccer for my college, which has taught me discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Balancing classes, practices, and financial responsibilities can be overwhelming, but I always give my best because I know how much this opportunity means. Financially, it has been a real struggle. As an international student, I am not eligible for many types of financial aid, and my tuition costs are much higher. I currently need to pay around $10,000 to continue my studies, which is a heavy burden for my family and me. Despite that, I have not given up. I continue applying for scholarships, working hard, and keeping my grades strong because I believe in my goals and my future. I want to study business and use my education to create opportunities for others, especially young women from small communities like mine in Costa Rica. This scholarship would mean so much to me. It would help relieve the financial stress I’m currently facing and allow me to stay focused on my education and soccer. With your support, I could continue representing my college with pride and stay on the path toward achieving my dream of graduating and giving back to my community. I know that success takes dedication, heart, and perseverance and I have all three. Receiving this scholarship would not only change my present situation but also give me the motivation to keep pushing forward through every obstacle. It would remind me that hard work, faith, and determination truly make a difference. I promise to keep giving my best in school, on the field, and in life, and to make everyone who believes in me proud. I want to become an example for other young students who dream big but face challenges, showing them that anything is possible when you never give up.

My name is Zamira Yamileth Mena Sequeira, and I am an international student from Costa Rica studying at Herkimer College in New York. I came to the United States with a big dream to continue my education while playing the sport I love most, soccer. Being part of the Herkimer College women’s soccer team has taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, but it has also shown me how important education and financial support are to achieving my goals. Coming from a humble background, my family has always encouraged me to follow my dreams, even when it meant great sacrifices. However, as an international student, paying for college is a major challenge. I do not qualify for U.S. federal financial aid, and the tuition costs are much higher than what my family can afford. Currently, I need to pay around $10,000 for this semester, and it has been extremely difficult to cover this amount. I’m doing everything I can to stay focused on my studies and soccer training, but financial pressure can make it hard to concentrate fully on my education. My dream is to complete my degree at Herkimer College and then transfer to a four-year university to continue both my studies and my soccer career. In the future, I hope to give back by helping young athletes in Costa Rica have access to education and sports opportunities. I believe that success is not just about personal achievement, but about using what we learn to inspire and support others who face the same challenges we once did. Receiving this scholarship would be life-changing for me. It would help me pay for my tuition and living expenses, allowing me to focus on learning, improving, and representing both Herkimer College and Costa Rica with pride. More than just financial help, this scholarship would represent hope proof that dedication, effort, and passion can open doors, no matter where you come from. I am deeply grateful for your time and consideration. Your support would not only allow me to continue pursuing my education but also help me move one step closer to achieving my goals and giving back to my community. Thank you for believing in students like me, who are determined to work hard, make a difference, and never give up on their dreams. With this opportunity, I could focus entirely on my studies and soccer, representing Herkimer College with pride and dedication. This scholarship would not only change my life today but also help me build a future where I can inspire others to follow their dreams too.

As a young Costa Rican woman who moved to the United States on her own to pursue her education, I deeply relate to the challenges that Malgorzata faced throughout her life. Like her, I come from a humble family and had to build my path with determination, courage, and a strong desire to create opportunities that didn’t exist for me growing up. Leaving my home, my family, and everything familiar to start a new life in another country required bravery, just like the bravery she showed when she moved to the U.S. without a support system. One of the biggest similarities I share with Malgorzata is her strength and persistence in the face of difficulty. I grew up in a low income household in Costa Rica, where my parents worked hard every day to provide the little they could. I always admired their strength and promised myself that I would work even harder so that one day they could live a comfortable and peaceful life. When I moved to the United States to continue my education, I knew the road would not be easy. Adapting to a new culture, a new language, and a new academic system without my family by my side was extremely challenging. My first semester in college was one of the hardest experiences I’ve had I struggled academically and emotionally while trying to adjust to a completely different world. But instead of giving up, I grew stronger. I learned to rely on my inner strength, to seek help when needed, and to keep fighting for the future I want. Like Malgorzata, I am not afraid of taking on challenges. Athletically, I have competed in soccer from a young age, playing with clubs such as Dimas Escazú and Sporting in Costa Rica, and even representing my country in the Mini Football World Cup in Croatia. Those experiences required discipline, hard work, and physical and emotional resilience qualities that Malgorzata also embodied. Now, as a varsity soccer player at Herkimer College, I continue to push myself every day. Balancing academics and athletics as an international student has taught me that I am capable of more than I imagined. I also admire Malgorzata’s intellectual boldness the way she pursued knowledge and became an expert in what she loved. Even though my field is different, I share that same passion for education. I am studying International Business because I want to help Costa Rican businesses grow and create opportunities for others, especially young women from humble backgrounds like mine. I want to use my education to open doors not only for myself, but for the girls back home who dream of studying abroad but don’t know where to start. What inspires me most about Malgorzata is that she turned her challenges into strength. That is also what I am doing. Every difficulty I face being far from home, struggling financially as an F-1 student, working hard to stay in school pushes me to become a better version of myself. I want to honor my parents, who sacrificed so much, and build a future that reflects their love and effort. In many ways, I am like Malgorzata: determined, brave, passionate, and committed to becoming someone who uses her life to uplift others. I hope to continue following her example by pursuing my education with purpose and using my journey to inspire others.

As a young Costa Rican woman raised in a humble, low-income family, I’ve always had to fight for every opportunity. What makes me a “YOU GOT IT GIRL” is the perseverance, resilience, and heart that I carry with me everywhere I go. Nothing in my life has been easy, but everything has taught me to keep pushing forward. I believe this scholarship will help me reach my goals by giving me the chance to continue my education in the United States, stay in college, and pursue my future in International Business while representing Latina women in athletics and academics. Soccer has been a major part of my life for many years. I started playing when I was a young girl in Costa Rica, and the sport quickly became my escape, my passion, and my motivation. I played with Dimas Escazú and Sporting FC, two clubs that helped shape my discipline and character. One of the biggest accomplishments in my athletic career was representing Costa Rica in the Mini Football World Cup in Croatia. That opportunity showed me how far dedication can take you. Today, I continue my journey as a varsity soccer player at Herkimer College in New York. Balancing being an international student and an athlete has been challenging, but it has made me stronger and more focused than ever. One of the biggest challenges I faced was adapting to life in the United States alone. During my first semester, I struggled academically while trying to adjust to a new culture, new expectations, and financial stress. I felt lost and overwhelmed. Instead of giving up, I worked twice as hard, improved my grades, and reminded myself why I am here: to build a better future for myself and for my parents. That challenge became a moment of empowerment that taught me I can rise even when I fall. Someone I admire deeply is my mother. She is a humble, hard-working woman who has sacrificed everything for me. Even with very little, she always supported my dreams and taught me to never give up. Her strength inspires me every day. Everything I do is to make her proud and give both my parents the life they deserve. I want to show them that their efforts and sacrifices were not in vain. This scholarship would have a huge impact on my life. As an F-1 international student, I do not qualify for federal aid, and paying for college is extremely difficult. My family cannot afford the tuition, and I am working hard to stay enrolled. This scholarship would give me the chance to continue studying, growing, and competing as an athlete. It would help me stay focused on my goals without the fear of not being able to pay for school. Most importantly, it would bring me closer to achieving my dream of graduating and helping my family out of poverty. Something important for you to know is that everything I achieve comes from sacrifice and dedication. I left my home, my family, and the place where I grew up so I could chase my dream of studying International Business and becoming a leader who can inspire young girls in Costa Rica. I want to open doors for others especially those who come from humble backgrounds like mine. I currently compete in varsity women’s soccer at Herkimer College. I am not on an athletic scholarship, but I work hard every day to prove myself on the field and in the classroom. Being a student athlete means discipline, sacrifice, and pride. It means carrying my country in my heart every time I step onto the field. It means being a role model for young girls who dream of having opportunities like this. I am determined, passionate, and ready to keep fighting for my dreams. I know I have what it takes and with your support, I can continue this journey proudly as a YOU GOT IT GIRL.

As an international student from Costa Rica, pursuing my education in the United States has been one of the most challenging and transformative experiences of my life. Growing up in a low income household taught me early on the value of perseverance, responsibility, and using every opportunity to create a better future. My goal is to use the education I receive in International Business to make a positive impact not only in my own life, but also in my home country, where many young people especially women struggle to access global opportunities. Studying abroad has opened my eyes to the importance of global connections, international trade, and cross cultural communication. Costa Rica is a small country, but it has strong potential for economic growth through international business, entrepreneurship, and foreign partnerships. My plan is to complete my associate degree at Herkimer College, transfer to a four year university, and earn my bachelor’s degree in International Business. With this academic foundation, I want to contribute to Costa Rica’s global presence, whether by working with companies that import and export goods, helping local entrepreneurs expand internationally, or creating projects that connect Costa Rican businesses with new markets. One of my biggest motivations is to support young women in Costa Rica who dream of studying or working abroad, but who feel limited by financial hardship or lack of opportunities. Coming from a low income household myself, I know exactly how difficult it can be to continue studying when resources are limited. Through my education and future career, I hope to open doors for others by sharing knowledge, creating mentorship opportunities, and participating in programs that support young women in business and sports. My background in soccer has also shaped who I am and how I want to help my community. Playing soccer in Costa Rica, including representing the country in the Mini Football World Cup in Croatia, taught me teamwork, discipline, confidence, and leadership. I want to use these experiences to motivate young girls in Costa Rica to pursue their talents, whether in sports or academics. Sports can be a powerful tool for personal development, and I hope to support programs in Costa Rica that use athletics to empower youth, especially girls from low-income households. In the long term, I want to combine my passion for business, global cultures, and community service to create projects that benefit Costa Rican families. Whether it is helping small businesses grow internationally, supporting women in entrepreneurship, or creating initiatives that connect Costa Rican youth with global opportunities, I am committed to using my education for something bigger than myself. My dream is not only to succeed academically, but also to return to my country with the skills, knowledge, and leadership needed to make a meaningful difference. Receiving financial support would help me continue my studies in the United States and bring me closer to these goals. I am determined to work hard, stay focused, and use every step of my education to create a positive impact in Costa Rica.