Back to the beginning and a new semester commences. Spring term is here and I can hardly believe how fast an entire semester has gone by, how quickly the year seems to be progressing! While I am only into, about a month of this new term, I can already feel a demanding pace develop. This term I am working and taking about 16 credits. These credits include classes that are not only interesting but have already begun to challenge my perspectives. For example, both in my intercultural communication and Latino and Latinas in the US classes, I am being given the opportunity to tackle topics such as discrimination, stereotypes, and cultural norms. I am truly grateful for these classes because they force me to look beyond my own cultural biases and learn to understand others around me. Aside from my classes and homework, I am also enjoying the ability to work more heavily with the community.
This term, I am working quite a bit with the local high school. One activity I am currently helping with is stabilizing a Latino parent group as a resource for the advancement of both parents and students alike. I am also working as an ASPIRE mentor; as mentors we help motivate and guide students to continue their education after high school. While together these activities can become a bit stressful, the stress becomes overshadowed by the aid I hope to be providing the community. However, I also know, any loaded schedule needs an outlet. Therefore, I am also participating in intramural basketball which has become a lot of fun and allows me to spend time with my friends. This semester, I know is more loaded than the last but I believe that each activity is an essential investment of my time and I am truly lucky to have the opportunity to engage in them all.