A role model is defined by Webster as someone who another person admires and tries to be like. Growing up, I didn’t have any role models. Of course I had people I admired in my family. I admire my parents for all of their struggles and hard work that they have gone through in order to get our family where we are today, but I would not choose that life for myself. My parents raised me to always remember that even though we have a great life, there is an even better life out there, and I can have it all as long as I work hard enough.

I remember when I was in second grade, and I met an aunt for the first time. She was kind, smart, energetic, and we were all so happy to see her. She went back home, and a few months passed, then she was gone. She was taken by cancer. My mother explained to me what it was, and I all I could remember thinking was how unfair it all was. It was that day that I decided I wanted to be a doctor. As usual, most thought it would just be a phase, like a child saying they want to be a rocket scientist one day and a teacher the next. Twelve years later, and here I am studying to go on to medical school.

I had more than enough examples of what not to do while growing up. I always knew that no matter what I did, I did not want to let my parents down. Unless you are a first generation college student too, it’s hard to understand how difficult it is to be in this situation. It’s not just about going to school and making the grades. It’s the fact that since we were able to make it this far, there is no way we can fail now. You carry the weight of not only school, but your entire family behind you.

All eyes are on you. At family gatherings, the only thing you get asked about is school and what your next steps are. Everyone is tentative to see what you are going to accomplish next, because they know that whatever you accomplish, they’ll be able to say with pride that you are a part of their family. Every step you take is in representation of your family. The younger ones see the admiration you receive and start to think, “Hey, maybe she’s onto something,” and begin to ask you about what they should do to succeed. Before you know it, you’re becoming the role model for them that you never had. If you think about it too much, it can be quite overwhelming. However, with family knowing this too, the amount of support you receive is never ending.

I’m sure there are times when some think it’s selfish of me to move away from home, or that I’m doing all of this just to be able to give off the “look at me doing better than you” vibe, but that was and never is the case. It gives me great joy to say that one day I’ll be able to repay all of them and give them a little extra too. Not because they need it, but because all along they just want you to succeed.