Major: Political Science
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Where did you transfer from? Grand Rapids Community College

Why did you choose to transfer to the University of Michigan? When I was a prospective transfer student the Michigan community always felt close and supportive; when I was almost done with my Associate's degree back home, Michigan would reach out to me for campus tours, help with my application and other general questions. Additionally, being relatively close to Grand Rapids from a young age I would hear about how prestigious the University was and would often visit The Big House with family. With that I knew that Michigan was where I belonged and where I wanted to obtain my Bachelor's degree.

Based on your personal experience, what is the one thing you want to tell new transfer students? There may be times throughout your Michigan career that will have you questioning whether or not you belong here or if this is for you, but what I will say is always push through those thoughts because we all have made it here and belong here just as much as anyone else. Taking time to look back at what you have accomplished and what is to come helps me get back on track.

How did you make friends and meet other students on campus? I participated in Assisting Latino Students to Maximize Achievement (ALMA) which is a program that focuses on connecting Latinx students with other Latinx students on campus. Here I met various other students with similar background stories as me. I would also go to various Campus Life activities during welcome week and just connect with other students behind me in line and chat about our majors and goals.

What is your favorite part about being an LSA transfer student? My favorite part about being an LSA transfer student is meeting other transfer students around campus. The transfer student community here at Michigan is very close and always supports each in a variety of ways. Whenever I wear my Michigan Transfer apparel around campus I often get fist-bumps or high-fives from other transfer students going on about their days.

What do you know now that you wished you knew before transferring to the University of Michigan? Bring comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for the various types of weather -- at the University of Michigan you'll often find yourself walking from class to class or simply around Ann Arbor. Investing in some good walking shoes will definitely make a difference and your feet will thank you. Additionally, Ann Arbor weather is very unpredictable especially in the winter, so a good winter coat and some boots is recommended to help combat the elements.

Why did you choose your specific major(s)? I chose political science because I want to be able to give back to various underrepresented communities dealing with legal issues. Being able to speak both Spanish and English has allowed me to recognize that I can be of great benefit to Spanish speakers who might not know much English and vice versa. I enjoy being able to give back to my community in various ways and feel like this is my calling.