Support Brenda’s Study Abroad Program

Hello, my name is Brenda Nieto and I am a first-generation, immigrant college student in my third year at California State University, San Marcos. I study Sociology full-time and work part-time, with the ultimate goal of becoming a bilingual, high school English teacher.

I’m asking for your support so I can attend Cal State’s study abroad program, Sociology: Youth in Society, this coming January. The $2,000 program will expose me to young people in France and the Netherlands, and how they live their lives and engage with educational and political institutions. This experience will make me a stronger educator, which is my goal. I know when I begin teaching I will have a classroom of diverse students. Participating in this program will expand my ability to empathize with my future students.

I have wanted to study abroad for a long time, as I know this will give me a chance to experience life in a way I never have before. Through full immersion in two cultures completely foreign to me, I will develop my adaptability and social skills.

I never thought I would have this opportunity, but with encouragement from my friends, family, and mentors, I am challenging myself to take it. However, as a low-income student on financial aid, I need your support to raise the $2,000 to help me pay for the 3-unit class, medical insurance, accommodations, meals, and travel expenses. Any amount you can give will help me—and I will be profoundly grateful.

I will post images here of my time in the program, so you can see the experience you have helped make a reality. Thank you!

A Little Bit More About Me

To provide some background, I was born in Mexico City and then lived in Tijuana. I attended pre-school and pre-kindergarten there, and on my days off I crossed the border before dawn with my dad, who worked in La Jolla. When I was 5 years old, my mom finally got her green card and my parents were able to bring my baby brother and me to Escondido, California. My parents worked hard for us to have the opportunities they never did, and I work hard every day to take advantage of the opportunities they’ve made available to me.

I have been determined and focused on using my education to help people. I want to understand why hardworking people like my family and friends struggle for reasons outside of their control. When I work my part-time job as a campus tour guide, I offer high school kids and community college students as much advice as possible because I know what it feels like to come in blind as a first-generation college student. As an Alliance Ambassador, a program that guarantees local graduating high school students admission into CSUSM, I encourage students to take advantage of the same opportunity that helped me attend this university. Finally, I am taking the prerequisites to apply to CSUSM’s teaching credential program with bilingual authorization.

I want to teach because of my early education experiences. Escondido is over 50% Hispanic/Latino, yet I never had a Latino teacher until I took 11th and 12th grade Spanish. Every student wants to be able to see themselves when they look at their role models, and everything I am doing now has that in mind. I’m excited about my goal and enjoy what I’m doing to reach it, despite how difficult it has been to manage my time with ADHD and despite not having anyone close to me who has followed a similar path.

Again, I will be so grateful for any amount you can give to help fund my study abroad program. I will post images here of my time in the program, so you can see the experience you have helped make a reality. Thank you!

From Professor K-B Gressitt, a Brenda fan

Please give some thought—and your heart—to Brenda’s request for CSUSM study abroad funding. I know she will transform the experience into valuable opportunities for her future students.

Brenda is one of my outstanding undergraduate students at CSUSM, despite being challenged by numerous obstacles to higher education, not the least of which is financial. But studying abroad should not be a privilege available only to the affluent. Brenda’s dedication and accomplishments are qualifications enough.

A low-income, first-generation college student, Brenda has persisted toward achieving the goals of a better life for her and her family. And her vision now extends to becoming the best bi-lingual high school teacher she can be.

I hope you’ll join me in supporting Brenda’s vision, with any amount you can.