Ximena Contreras '27

Major: Marketing

What was it like being among the first in your family to go to college? 

Pride, being thankful, but also feeling the pressure to do good. Pride as too being the first in my family to go to college and feel the dreams that my mom and dad wish they had. I am thankful for my family, who have not told me to give up, and who are always there for me when I need them moving forward for college. Feeling the pressure on I have to do good to make my family proud and making sure I knew what I was doing for college. 

What does it mean for you personally to be a part of the FGEN community and, specifically, to be a FGEN student ambassador? 

FGEN is a community that is meant to help first students get through college, not only to help them but to hold their hand when they need someone college is not easy but FGEN as a community and me being an FGEN ambassador hopefully the incoming FGEN students know they are not alone and FGEN is there for them to hold their hand. 

Did a mentor play a role in your experience? 

Being my friends and my family played a lot with my life, my family always had my back no matter what even when life gets stressful they always told me to move forward to not give up on myself I looked up to my parents a lot because they never once stopped working they always try to provide for me and my sisters even though once they came to the US they didn't know what to do but they both found a way to make it where they are today without them I would not even be able to be confident in myself to make it to college. My friends JoAnn, Ari, Nanami, Nana, Jovie, and Craig they rode the first friends I made sense coming to UP I didn't know my way through my first college year, but they helped me get through the first year. And like my parents they never let me give up on myself. 

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

There is always a light at the end, but we need to not give up for that light to go off. And Echele ganas. 

What resources have been significant, meaningful or helpful for you so far during your UP experience? 

FGEN has for sure helped me a lot through college a lot and they are always there for you, like where is your class, if you have a question they are always there to help you and they will always be there to hold your hand, you are never alone FGEN makes sure that you are getting the help you need.