I come from humble beginnings in the South Bronx. A two bedroom apartment with my grandparents, both of my parents, and myself with my older brother and sister. However, I never felt like I was deprived of anything. When I look back at my childhood memories, I remember always having a Christmas tree with presents underneath, always a feast at the table thanks to my grandmother's great cooking, and my grandpa picking my siblings and I from school and taking us to the pizzeria. A NY slice of pizza, with a can of Hawaiian Punch, fruit juicy red to be exact. Never did my parents let it be known that they worked 2 jobs at a time, never did they let it be known that they were exhausted. Now, I realize and cherish the sacrifices my family made to make sure my brother, sister, and I had a wonderful childhood and push us through school. It was not until my 3rd grade year, when we finally had our own home because through military housing, as my dad entered the US Army. Now, my dad is in his remaining 5 years, and my mom is a 3rd grade teacher for her 5th year as she went back to school and finished her masters, even with having to take care of us by herself years at a time while my dad was deployed in Afghanistan multiple times, she never gave up. Because of my parents work ethic, I have been taught to work hard, to never give up, and to cherish the love and sacrifices our family has made to open doors for me. I graduated this past May 2020 magna cum laude from North Carolina A&T State University with my baccalaureate, (so I was not able to have an in-person graduation unfortunately.) Now, I want to pursue my masters, abroad. I have been accepted into the International Relations program at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, and I would be the first of my family to study abroad. Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine, and I am so close to becoming true. The program itself is 16,400 euros, and I am applying for scholarships, but this would really ensure that I am able to cover travel expenses, my visa, passport, my housing, etc. This would mean the world to me! (And my family). My grandfather has helped pay for my college during undergrad. Last year we found out he had prostate cancer, but they detected it early enough and after months of radiation, he has been cleared. (WOOHOO) His said he will not leave this Earth before seeing me accomplish my dream, not even cancer could take him out. Let's do it!