As a senior in high school, I still had no idea what I wanted to do in the future nor what colleges I would apply to. I was surrounded by individuals who seemed like they had it all figured out when it came to their future. They were visiting colleges and talking about the majors they would pursue after graduation. It was frustrating because I felt like I was the only one when many of them were as lost as me.
Growing up, my mind was always changing in the career aspect of my life and the never seemed to have a correlation. I changed from wanting to be a history teacher to a fashion merchandiser to a chef; I possibly considered every career out there because that’s the type of person I am, I want to do EVERYTHING. When it came to where I wanted to go to college, I always thought I would pick up my bags and go to the United States to pursue whatever major I wanted. I felt like I did not belong here, in Puerto Rico, to study. But I was wrong. In my senior year, I had made up my minded that I wanted to study fashion merchandising because it was up my alley. I love every single part of the fashion world. As the Bratz would say, “Fashion was my passion”. I had applied to the FIT (The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City) and Buffalo State. I was excited because I had done the applications in time and the best that I could, and I waited for letters. I only applied to the Interamerican University as an education major in Puerto Rico just in case, but my mindset was set for the United States.
The months of March and April rolled by, which meant that acceptance and rejection letters rolled in. I saw my classmates get into their dream college and I was waiting. I got my acceptance letter from Buffalo State and I was happy, but I was looking forward to the acceptance letter of FIT. Nothing showed up in the mail for FIT nor the Interamerican University. So, my parents and I went to visit Buffalo State in Buffalo, New York, but it was nothing like we expected. It was cold, and it wasn’t the type of environment I could adjust to. Plus, it was very expensive, and I did not want my parents and I to be in debt. At this point, I had no college nor a major.
When we went back, my mom wanted to know why there were no letters for the other colleges, and that’s when we found out that the counselor in my high school had not sent my transcript, so it was as if I had never applied to college. I was devastated. I was furious. I was worried. I had so many negative emotions because I had no college, I had no plan. The counselor decided to talk to both universities and send them the missing information. I was rejected from FIT but the Interamerican University greeted me with their open arms.
Going to this university has been a blessing in disguise because I belong here. I love how the system works and how they are so open to helping me. I have loved every class I have taken with every amazing professor I have encountered. I have met so many awesome individuals that have become my friends instantly. Going to college in the Interamerican University has been one of the best experiences in my life and I can’t wait to graduate from her. I am so proud to be able to call it my alma mater.