A Letter from Nataly, a Dream Project Alumna.
All I remember was the plane touching down and making that loud whistling noise. I was six years old and had just made the journey from Cochabamba, Bolivia to the US. My mom looked over, hugged me and told me everything would be alright. That’s all I remember about the trip, the rest is a blur.
Fast forward to present day where I just completed another long journey, across the country to California. I’m so excited to share that I’ve (finally) started medical school this Fall at Stanford University School of Medicine! The road to medical school had some bumps along the way but the path was also paved with many people who encouraged, supported, and mentored me.
I think back to that six year old, arriving in an unfamiliar place. The biggest challenge when I first moved here was learning the language. My mom said the first year I was in the US, I would come home from school and beg to go back to Bolivia because I wasn’t able to speak the same language as my classmates. My mom was so encouraging and supportive and she told me that I would be able to do it if I kept practicing, which is what I did! After a year and half in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, I was moved to regular English-speaking classes.
My family and I faced challenges seeking healthcare as well, so we sought out community resources to help us. I served as the medical interpreter for my family, which is one of the experiences I think really helped solidify my interest in medicine. And lastly, I think the biggest challenge was adjusting to the culture. I grew up in a very Bolivian home, which I’m so grateful for because I never forgot my culture or my background. My mom really encouraged me to speak Spanish at home so I wouldn’t forget my primary language and English at school. Being bilingual has helped me in so many realms of my life both academically and professionally. I am so grateful that I have been able to keep present both my Bolivian and American cultures through language and communication.
“Through the scholarship I received, I was able to get through college and pay for tuition/room and board costs that my family wasn’t able to help me with. The Dream Project has also provided me with wonderful and life-long friendships that I’ve relied on for so much support and mentorship over the years. I couldn’t be more proud to be part of the Dream Project family.“
I was one of the first students to receive a Dream Project scholarship and majored in Biology, and received minors in Chemistry and Spanish at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Afterward, at times it felt like my dream of medical school was so far away. But my mom always says, “Everything is temporary and nothing lasts forever.” Those words of wisdom really helped me realize that the only thing I could do was push through and have the best attitude I possibly could. That determination has paid off!
My journey has taught me that I am resilient and brave. Looking back now on all the challenges I faced, I sometimes look at myself in disbelief. I overcame every challenge and became a stronger/better person because of them. I learned to trust in myself and I believe this gave me strength to overcome all the challenges that crossed my path over the years.
So as I embark on this new journey of starting medical school, I plan on drawing on all my past experiences and using that strength and resiliency I developed. After medical school, I hope I can move back closer to my family and continue my medical training on the East Coast. I look forward to spending more time with my loved ones and hopefully being able to give back to my parents for all their sacrifices. I hope to one day buy them a house and take us all on a European adventure!
I would also like to thank the Dream Project for being such a huge part of my academic and personal journey over the past 12 years. Dr. Emma Violand-Sanchez, specifically, was like a fairy godmother during my senior year of high school. She has been such a staunch supporter and mentor to me that I don’t know what I would have done without her. I couldn’t be more thankful for all the support I’ve received from the Dream Project and its supporters since being a student at Washington-Liberty High School. Through the scholarship I received, I was able to get through college and pay for tuition/room and board costs that my family wasn’t able to help me with. The Dream Project has also provided me with wonderful and life-long friendships that I’ve relied on for so much support and mentorship over the years. I couldn’t be more proud to be part of the Dream Project family. This dream would not have been possible without God, my family, friends, mentors, and supporters of the Dream Project who encouraged me during my journey to medicine. Thank you so much for everything! I’m grateful beyond words!
With gratitude,
—Nataly, Dream Project Alum
Help Make Student Dreams a Reality
Thanks to the strong support of our amazing community, this year, in addition to continuing our mentoring and support programs, the Dream Project was able to award renewable scholarships of $3,500 to 100 stellar scholars! Your kindness and generosity helped many students like Nataly realize their dreams. Thank YOU for making a difference!
