When I was eight years old my family dropped everything and moved to the United States in pursuit of a better life. I don’t recall the details of how we ended up on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts but somehow we did. Once my family was settled I enrolled in a local middle school and I started third grade there. Growing up as an immigrant in the United States was not and never has been easy, I know that I have become who I am today because of all the hardships my family has gone through. If it was not for my family’s dramatic shift in lifestyle, I probably would not have discovered my interest for global cultures, languages, and relations. This desire that I have to understand the differences and similarities of nations that inhabit our world is something that I know will always be a part of me.

My current struggle is that I want to pursue my bachelors degree in international relations in the United States. Due to the fact that I am not an American citizen, the processes is harder. I am ineligible for any sort of financial aid or four-year scholarship. I am also ineligible for instate tuition, which causes the cost of going to school to double. Therefore, if I desire to go to college at all, the funding has to be provided by my family’s income. This is very difficult because my parents do not have an annual income that can cover all of our expenses plus college tuition without any federal aid.  

I have been involved with the Brazilian community because of having such close contact with them. In August of last year I became my church’s official service Portuguese-English translator. During my sophomore and junior year I was a member of a select choral group from the island known as the MVRHS Minnesingers. I have also been a member of a couple cultural clubs from the high school, including the Portuguese and One World Club. 

In June I graduate from Martha's Vineyard Regional High School and I would love very much for this dream of going to school to become a reality.  


I ask you to help me share this with as many people as you can and if possible donate!

A little can do a lot.
Thank You!