As a slightly older nontraditional student, my past life experiences have greatly shaped my ambition to want to major in a STEM related field as well as the need for a more global perspective. Last year, I transferred into Arcadia University from a Community College and decided it was time I finish my studies after taking care of a family member. After participating in one of Arcadia’s preview programs abroad, I developed a whole new appreciation for travel and how life experience can significantly mold a person’s outlook. I want to be able to take the time to study abroad and immerse myself in an academic setting of my choosing, since I’d never had that opportunity in the past. I feel the experience to study abroad is imperative to developing good cultural competency skills, which in the field of STEM is almost always a must.
In researching programs in Computer Science, I decided to pursue studies …show more content…
Being a nontraditional student alone, I feel is a significant challenge in the sense that you have more weighted responsibilities. Prior to enrolling, I had served as the main caretaker for my grandmother who at that point was suffering from Dementia in her 90’s. Though the pressure at times was hard, I wouldn’t go back and change a thing. Earlier this year, my stepfather had also lost his job without any notice, leaving my mother as the sole breadwinner for the family. Currently, I’m a first generation college student in my family. I take great pride in the fact that I’m lucky enough to be attending a good University without carrying major debt and exemplifying responsibility by working three jobs to pay for it on my own. I’ve accepted that hardship is a part of life and that sometimes, it makes you stronger. Giving up was unfortunately never an option for me and despite how hard it got, I was able to pull
In researching programs in Computer Science, I decided to pursue studies …show more content…
Being a nontraditional student alone, I feel is a significant challenge in the sense that you have more weighted responsibilities. Prior to enrolling, I had served as the main caretaker for my grandmother who at that point was suffering from Dementia in her 90’s. Though the pressure at times was hard, I wouldn’t go back and change a thing. Earlier this year, my stepfather had also lost his job without any notice, leaving my mother as the sole breadwinner for the family. Currently, I’m a first generation college student in my family. I take great pride in the fact that I’m lucky enough to be attending a good University without carrying major debt and exemplifying responsibility by working three jobs to pay for it on my own. I’ve accepted that hardship is a part of life and that sometimes, it makes you stronger. Giving up was unfortunately never an option for me and despite how hard it got, I was able to pull