Rosie Ith

What was it like being among the first in your family to go to college?  Tell us about your story, and what you think has helped you succeed so far at UP?

Being the first in my family to go to college was an exciting journey for both my family and me. No one has ever made it through to college, but I broke the norm and carried my 100 pounds luggage to this new amazing continent for college. It has been a year since I left home for school, and I have never been more proud of myself. My parents said that they didn't have anything else beside paying for my school so that I can get the education I want for the future, and now that I am a full-ride scholar, their hard work have paid off. I was fortunate to engage in FGEN community from the start where I learned to make my new friends and all the people who have made this year a great one.

What does it mean for you to be a part of the FGEN community and to be a FGEN Student Ambassador at UP?

Being a part of FGEN community means that I can celebrate this part of my identity, share the value, being validated, and related to the people who understand what I am going through. Becoming an FGEN ambassador means that I will not only have a community that I belong to, but I will have the opportunity to make other FGEN student's experience here at UP better as well.

What is your advice to FGEN students at UP who are facing challenges?

My first advice for First Generation student at UP who are facing challenges would be to engage. If I had not engage in FGEN events and programs the first time I arrived at UP, I would not been exposed to all of these amazing opportunities and met amazing people who have made my experience here much easier and better.

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