When I was in high school, I thought the most important thing in life was to get into a good university. I sacrificed time with family and friends to become the perfect, cookie-cutter college application. I must admit that, like many of you, I dreamt of going to an Ivy and changing the world. I didn’t get into any Ivy, but my dreams of changing the world didn’t die with my rejections. Despite how much I thought the world was going to end then, I ended up where I needed to be. I spent the past two and a half years of my life at the University of Texas at Austin. I loved every moment of it.

I’ve come to learn that sometimes the things we desperately want to hold onto and fiercely want to make ours don’t always work out. That’s okay. Regardless of where you go, college is what you make it. (Yeah, your teachers weren’t lying.) In fact, college will be a beautiful part of your life. You’ll make precious memories past 1 a.m. and gain several pounds eating a whole bunch of chick-fil-a. If you’re as lucky as I was, you’ll make life-long friends and memories that you’ll treasure until you die.

However, as all things in life, college will come to an end. In the midst of your senior year, when you take your senior pics and empty out your college apartment, you’ll find yourself at a crossroads. Where to from here?

You see, when college ends, you’ll have to search for a job. Applying to jobs is sort of like mixing college applications and going on a first date. You won’t be graded, but you can be rejected. Your heart may be broken, so ladies and gents proceed with caution.

I will admit that applying to jobs terrifies me. I’ve been rejected before multiple times, but I’ve always had something to fall back on. I love school. You read right, it wasn’t a typo. I’ve always been great at school. Leaving it terrifies me.

I’ve thought about this a lot and came to the conclusion that school is my comfort zone. Leaving it is terrifying, especially because I’m transitioning to a stage that’s flooded with rejection. You name it, I’ve applied and have gotten the same reponse: “We’re sorry to inform you…” or “Unfortunately, we had many great applicants…”.

It sucks. It sucks even more when I remember all of the nights I stayed up studying for exams and missing out on quality time with my friends. It makes me wonder if everything was really worth it. I find myself clingling to the idea that my tuition payments, all-nighters, and addiction to ramen must have some higher purpose.

At this point, I have shed many tears and am uncertain of the next step I should take. Like other people, I’m afraid and tired of being rejected again. I felt the same way when I was applying to colleges. I had the same desire to be accepted, but now, instead of 600 word essays where I poured out my heart, I find myself writing dozens of cover letters. Luckily, there is no application fee.

For all of you reading this, sadly, I do not have a success story, yet. I remain scared of the uncertainty that lies ahead. Yet, regardless of what the future holds, I am certain of one thing – I loved the past two and half years. In this time, I became an independent young woman who learned how to stand on her own two feet. I cried, danced, and lauged many times. I pushed my intellect beyond what I thought I was capable. I fell in love with a career that my high school self never even considered. I loved everything. I don’t regret a single moment of it.

Therefore, my fellow reader, whether it be applying to college, searching for a job, or going on a first date; do it. Seize the day and do not be afraid. Fail and fall, but don’t forget to get up. Live your life to the fullest and never forget that “life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all” (Helen Keller).

Estimado Sr. Andres Manual Lopez Obrador:

Le escribo esta carta porque creo que usted escucha a su pueblo. La escribo en ingles porque e estudiado toda mi vida en EUA, y reconozco que mi habilidad de escribir en espanol no es tan buena como en ingles. Espero que algun dia la lea.

My family and I immigrated to the United States when I was very young. I don’t ever remember living in Mexico. I’m ashamed to say I probably can’t recite the national anthem from memory. Despite the distance, I’ve never forgotten where I come from.

I’ve never forgotten where I come from, because truthfully I was reminded every time I crossed the border. I was reminded every time I couldn’t quite pronounce words like the other children at school and in the way I always had to work harder than everyone else to enjoy the same opportunities. I was reminded in my sister’s beautiful dark eyes and hair and in the smell of my mother’s picadillo.

My story is the story of hundreds of thousands of Mexicans who immigrate to this country in the hope that across the border lies a better life. My parents and all those who have made the journey into this country, did so in the hopes of giving their posterity a chance at the ‘American Dream’. Hicieron lo que pudieron con lo que tuvieron. I don’t blame them.

I don’t blame them, but it’s my turn to write my own story. My story will be different. I will stand up to my fears and fight for what I believe in. That is why I write you this letter.

I write to you today to tell you that every single person who has left Mexico and started a life in a foreign country thinks every day what their life would’ve been like if they hadn’t left. I tell you this, because I do. Every day I go to school, I think. It doesn’t matter how hard I work, if I get the best grades, or participate in all extracurricular activities, I will never have the same access to scholarships, job opportunities, and internships. If I were in my country, I wouldn’t have to face all of these barriers. I would not be judged by my immigration status. My merit and self-worth would determine how far I could get in life.

Yet, I think. Would that be true? The opportunities are here, but I don’t have access. In Mexico, would I lack access and opportunities? It pains me to admit that our country is plagued with corruption and crime. There is an abysmal gap between the rich and poor. It’s one of the reasons I think so many people see immigration to the US as the only feasible alternative. The indigenous populations of Mexico continue to be ostracized and capitalistic interests of a few trump their basic human rights. Organized crime floods our country. It is so sad to see how notorious criminals get idolized in television series and serve as the inspiration for our future generations.

For many years, I have felt that in the pursuit of a better life, I lost an identify, culture, and sense of belongingness. Yet, the letter I write to you today is not to tell you about my struggles of being an immigrant in a foreign land. I write to you to say that my future rests in your hands. For more than 10 years, I have resided in a country where I have been comfortable. A land where democracy thrives and freedom is a right, not a privilege. I have seen people speak freely without fear of repercussion. I have seen a society that respects its government- doesn’t fear it. I have studied next to young minds who have free access to education. I have been told that every child has the right to dream. I have a dream. 

I have always known that despite the comfort I have enjoyed, the US is not my end destination. I came here with a purpose. It is time to step out of my comfort zone and face my demons. I believe that I was brought to this country to see that peace could flourish in society. I came to see that people should not live in fear of government and organized crime. I came to see that with hard work, dreams could come true. My dream is that one day Mexico will change.

My dream: I see a Mexico that is not shackled by corruption, crime, and violence. I see a Mexico where children play in the streets without fear of being caught in the midst of a shootout. I see a Mexico where every boy and girl has access to an education. I see a Mexico where a job in politics isn’t a means of selfish enrichment, rather, it is pursued by those who love our republic and want to serve public interest. I see a Mexico where mestizos and the indigenous populations progress hand in hand; where one’s interests won’t trample the other. We must never forget that a country is only as strong as it’s most vulnerable citizen.

The people of Mexico look unto you. The future of more than 129 million human beings rests in your hands. You have made many promises and have sparked many flames. You have lighted the fire in young minds like mine. I see you and I see change. Do not let the attractiveness of power and wealth lure you to be another one of those panders of our republic. Free her. Free her and with her we will all be free.

Know that the people of Mexico stand behind you. We believe in you. I support you. Que viva Mexico!

Attentamente,

Maria Fernanda