Dreaming Big Things

Name: Kathia Guadalupe Camargo Ramirez

Year: 5th Year

Major: Public Policy, Minor: Gender Studies

UCR has given me opportunities which have shaped me into the woman I am today. I was born in Sinaloa, Mexico and migrated to the United States at the age of one. There were a lot of risks that came with my being undocumented, and my parents made sure I knew that. However, I didn’t fully realize the challenges this would come with until I grew up. Luckily, DACA passed during my senior year in high school and I was able to get funding for college through the DREAM Act. At that time, I hadn’t realized that being DACAmented meant being able to have a voice and hope.

When my parents split up, I began to fully understand the meaning of struggle and what it meant for my future. My father moved back to Mexico. My mother began cleaning houses in order to provide for my siblings and me. It was not easy. There were a few times that I would have to go without eating during my second year at UCR. It was honestly one of the hardest times during my college career, but it also paved the way for me to become the person I am today.

It was during this time that I began to notice the struggles immigrant families face. I began to notice the struggles first generation students face. I began to notice the challenges I would be facing as a DACAmented Chicana. So, I began to dream for myself and my mother.

I looked into the resources UCR provides for its students. I stumbled across UCEAP and UCDC, the two programs which had a major impact on my growth during my five years at UCR. UCEAP and UCDC helped me step outside of my comfort zone multiple times through different experiences and internships.

UCEAP was definitely a challenging and learning experience. As a DREAMer, I had to apply for Advance Parole—a permit for non-citizens to re-enter the United States after traveling abroad. However, it did not guarantee re-entry back into the United States. From the start, my mother disapproved of my decision to study abroad in England. It was difficult disobeying my mother’s orders, but I knew I wanted to take the risk. Being in England opened my eyes and put the world into a new perspective. England made me a risk taker and I will not let anyone, nor anything deter me from reaching my dreams.

UCDC has become my second home. I have done this program three times and every time it has been a different learning experience. I continue to fall in love with this place more and more. Ironically, this is also the first place where I have ever experienced racism. Yet, I am still drawn to DC. Possibly because DC brings out a different side of me—the community advocate side of me.

Now, DACA is up in the air. My future is uncertain, and I remain unafraid and unapologetic. My community and I are being attacked and now is the time to fight for change. As once said, by Sue Desmond-Hellmann, “The world won’t get better by itself. We must set big goals and hold ourselves accountable every step of the way.” I have hope that one day this nation will realize everything my community and I have to offer.

Overall, I consider myself lucky enough to be able to say that UCR has helped me grow, both personally and professionally, and I am beyond grateful for the experiences it has given me.

I am beyond honored to be able to call myself a Highlander and a DREAMer.

#DACA #undocumented #whotellsyourstory #publicpolicy #genderstudies