My experience in the US by Sebastian

My experience in the US by Sebastian - August 2022 Scholarship Essay

“How much you love, that’s what you are worth.” I’m always going to remember this phrase my dad told me when I was about to catch my flight that was going to take me to the US and leave the country where I lived for my whole life. From the very beginning, it was difficult for me to adapt to the US after leaving my family and friends in Peru. With great effort, I managed to get my first job in Virginia in my second week living there, even though in the middle of a pandemic. My goal was to start studying at George Mason University, but I didn’t have the finances at that time. After saving for a year and a half, I was able to pay my tuition and start studying at Mason.
Furthermore, this isn’t about what I achieved in the last years or how hard it was for me to do it, but how thankful I am to the people that helped me on this path and how I want to help in the future people like me. Once, I fi I finish college, I plan to start my own business that will be dedicated to helping Hispanic immigrants to have a good financial education. In that way, I want to give back every little support I’ve received from the incredible people I’ve met in the last year and a half of living in the US.
A 2022 Varsity Tutors Scholarship would mean to me the opportunity to finish my classes at Mason and give me the chance to help the Hispanic community that doesn’t have a financial education. Personally, it is going to let me achieve my dream job and it would be a huge incentive for me to give more of my time to study since I work full-time to pay my bills and classes. Money has never been determinant for me and it is very clear to me that it doesn’t buy my happiness, but I do know that money gives us a balance in our life and the calm to know that our bills are paid and you don’t owe any money.
This first semester at GMU has been incredible for me. I’ve been attending all types of events on campus to get involved with the Mason community. Some of these events have given me a better perspective of how to be a leader and how to keep fighting my problems despite adversity.
Lastly, I would like to address how important is to help first-generation students. Most of us don’t have the same support as others and it is hard for us to continue studying when we are new to this educational area and we don’t have much information. I’m very proud of being an independent student and I understand the responsibilities that come with it, but a 2022 Varsity Tutors Scholarship would be that prime factor that can let me go to the next level regarding being connected with GMU and my college career.