I did not grow up in a family that ever expected or had the means for me to travel, but I always knew that I was going to see the world. I don't just want to read about all the beautiful places there are to see in the world, I want to live in them. I want to taste every food, smell every flower, see every mountain and waterfall.
I grew up in the inner city of Houston, Tx; in one of the most underprivileged areas. I am a first generation American and college student. My mom had seven kids, I am the youngest and the only one to graduate high school and go on to college. I was the only one that graduated high school for several reasons: I was born in the US with every basic need provided to me by the government, I had my mother with me my entire life, I saw my siblings go to juvie, jail, get deported, break my mothers heart ( I decided I wouldn't be like them), my eldest brother was my father(I always had him to protect me), I applied to a private school for underprivileged youth(Chinquapin Prep) and attended from 6th until 12th grade, I dormed at my school during the week(I was able to escape any family problem), but most importantly I decided that I would go to college on a full ride scholarship.
For all those reasons and more, I was able to be the first one to graduate high school. Going to Chinquapin was the greatest blessing a kid in my situation could have wished for(more about that later). I am currently a Junior at The University of Texas at Austin where my tuition is being completely covered by The Pell Grant, The Hamman Foundation, and The Terry Foundation for all four years of undergrad. I am majoring in International Relations and Global Studies, minoring in Latin American Studies, Human Rights and Social Justice and Business Foundations.
I had this idea about myself: that I would be the next Gandhi. I don't understand why children around the world die from lack of potable water and vaccinations, abuse, and don't have the opportunity to go to school. I wanted to be a catalyst for peace and prosperity. I still aspire to be Gandhi, but I don't believe myself to be as selfless. I aspire to work and live in Latin America in a developing nation working on human rights and youth development.
I decided to study abroad in Managua, Nicaragua because it is located in Central America. This study abroad program is focused on youth development and human rights;it would also give me a structured way to start my honors thesis. I am researching the effectiveness of local grassroots nonprofits to be catalyst for change and prosperity(more about that later). This program is also being fully funded by the scholarships mentioned before and School for International Training grants, and The Gilman Foundation. Like I said before I always knew I would see the world, this is the start, and I am so very grateful and honored to have been awarded these scholarships. I definitely did not think I would be able to attend this program on a full ride, but we as humans tend to lower our own self-worth. Believe in yourself, apply to as many scholarships as possible, and you may be surprised, as well.
I am also excited to announce that I will be mentoring a class of underprivileged youth through Reach the World, a non-profit that connects students in college studying abroad with classrooms of underserved youth. My life right now is absolutely perfect. I'll let y'all know how living in Nicaragua goes!
-Wanderlust Eddie
