We Are the Future

In my life there is something that I feel scared about, and this is preparing for and going to college. I am not sure if I can go to college because of money and even if there are many scholarships I think about my legal status and this makes me more afraid. If I do manage to go, I am scared about not doing well because I need to learn more of my second language, English.

Now that I am living in the United States, I feel like there are more opportunities for planning to go college and getting a good job. This is all different from my home country. In Mexico, we had to pay tuition and it is kind of expensive. Many people could not finish middle school because of money. My grandparents did not go to school. The only thing they did was working and helping in the house.

In my family, many members could not finish their education. For example, my uncle did not even finish elementary school. Some of my aunts could not finish middle school because they had to help in the house and take care of their little brothers. And my other uncles, they had to help my grandfather by helping him in the cornfield. Only my father and my other uncle could finish high school, but they do not have a good job. My uncles work at the cornfield and they get paid very little. My aunts work in a factory, but their pay was only enough to feed my family.

Now that I am living in the United States and everything is different, I am afraid that what happened to my grandparents and my uncles and aunts could happen to me also. My parents said that going to college is impossible for me and that it is a dream that can not come true because they are planning to go back to Mexico. It makes me sad sometimes because I think about what my future could be like if I do not get enough education. I imagine a life with no education and I think that would not be the kind of life that I want to have. I also think that nobody wants a poor life; everybody wants a better and comfortable life.

The kind of life that I want to have is to finish high school and after that, go to college and study the career I am really interested in it. For example, one of my favorite careers is dental hygienist. I like it because it is related to people’s health. After that, I want to have a good job and buy a house and a car. After I have all of that, I want to start a family and get married here, in the United States. I know if I have all the education I need, I can have this life and even a better one. If I have the life I want, I can give my sons and daughters a better education than the one I had.

The learning environment in which I study makes it easier to learn and comprehend. For example, we use computers and the teachers help us. Also the students can get help individually; this makes it easier to understand. I like it because I think the people involved in the education program here are more coordinated in the programs or classes that they give to students. I know there are many helpful programs for immigrant and refuges students, but I think we need even more support for us. For example, the tuition for college could be reduced. Also a program that supports immigrant people would be good. I only want to be a better person in this world and to help my family. If I get enough of good education, I know my family will be very proud of me.