I am a 1.5 generation Korean-American, having moved to the United States when I was 9 years old. Korean society values education highly, so my mother was insistent that I apply myself at school. My mother herself wanted to go to college but was unable to because her family was very poor, and I believe that also was a factor in her encouraging me to pursue higher education. I chose to attend college because it just felt like the natural next step after graduating from high school, and I was really interested in going further in my education.

As a first-generation student, I really did not have any sort of reference point when it came to asking questions about how to navigate college, and during that time, there really weren't any resources on campus that were offered to first-gen students. But participating in college activities and being active in organizations on campus really helped to shape my college experience, and these experiences offered me different perspectives to think about.

After undergrad, I took a break for a few years while I tried to navigate the job market, but working at a non-profit that helped to address healthcare access disparities among the Asian immigrant population really made me consider pursuing a master's degree. After some research, I decided to pursue one in public health, a field that involves a lot of work in alleviating health disparities and promoting advocacy, two areas that I was already working in. Transitioning to getting a doctorate was also a natural process for me, as it seemed to be a good fit for my interests.

It's important to note that a college education is not just about the learning in the classroom - it's also about learning about yourself in a safe setting where you are allowed to try different things and make mistakes without the types of consequences that you may face in the real world. It's a valuable experience that should be accessible to everyone who wishes to pursue it, including first-gen students who may often feel that such an opportunity is out of their reach. I recognize that college might not be the right choice for everyone, but for those who wish to pursue higher education, they should be given every chance to do so and to also succeed.