Meet Maria Gonzalez Rocha!
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Year: first year transfer
Major: English literature
College: Warren
Hometown: Los Angeles
1. What made you join Her Campus?
I joined Her Campus because I want to gain writing experience and meet others interested in doing the same. From the moment I found out about the organization, it seemed to be the perfect thing for me.
2. What are you studying and what field do you want to get into?
I’m majoring in English literature with the hopes of someday becoming a full-fledged author, specifically of the high fantasy genre. I would also like to eventually get my teaching credentials so that I could become an English teacher.
3. What do you hope to accomplish before graduating from UCSD?
Before graduating from UCSD, I would like to become acquainted with people that are following similar educational and career paths. It’s been hard finding other Literature majors (apparently we’re rare here on campus), so building a community that lasts past graduation day is at the top of my goal list.
4. Who is your role model?
My role models are my parents. I’ve never met anyone as strong or determined as they are. Not everyone has what it takes to leave their home country behind. My parents did this to give their children a better life, and they did it all while facing language and cultural barriers as well as discrimination.
5. What accomplishment of yours are you most proud of?
My proudest accomplishment so far has been attending university. As someone who grew up undocumented, higher education was always something I fantasized about but never something that I truly knew how to achieve. It’s an amazing opportunity that thirteen-year-old me never really thought she could attain.
6. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
If I could live anywhere in the world I would simultaneously choose everywhere and nowhere. A nomadic lifestyle seems so appealing to me – travelling to all corners of the world, meeting all kinds of colorful characters, learning about each and every culture I come in contact with. The aspect of adventure that it brings sounds enticing to me.