I have met numerous Latina women over the course of my college experience that have all inspired me. Their struggles, their success and their stories have impacted my life in many ways. This is my ode to all the Latina women who have undoubtedly made me a better person and have also allowed me to find myself. This is my story and what I have learned.

I have learned three essential things in college:

1.That is it OK to be different.

2. That struggling is all a part of future success

3. Never forget where you came from.

"It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences" — Audre Lorde

I have always been a little different than the rest of my peers here on campus. This is something that took me a long time to accept. I have always taken pride in being a Latina so being a part of the Latino community never worried me. However, choosing to identify as a Latina who is a part of the LGBT community, did. Growing up a Latina you're expected to take on so many roles — to have kids, to get married, to maybe even start a family. You may even have to fulfill aspirations of you being a doctor, a lawyer or a teacher. What I want everyone to ask is this, "What happens when you are different and view your world different than what is expected of you? Do you 'fit in' or do you 'stand out' and embrace your differences?"

Take pride in who you are and celebrate what makes you unique — whether that makes you a part of the Greek community, an athlete, a book worm or an activist. Empower one another to see the beauty in everyone.

"You have to struggle no matter where you are to get to where you're going." — Michelle Rodriguez

Latinos have always known the meaning of hard work. Some of our parents have come here and have risked everything to make ends meet. Some of them have even had to work multiple jobs at a time to make sure that we have the best education possible. Being a Latina in college could sometimes be difficult. Our hearts have said degree while our wallets have told us otherwise. Then we get to our major, we take some classes and you end up finding out that the profession you dreamed of or maybe the profession your parents dreamed of for you, isn't for you at all. This could be hard to take in when you — yes you — are the girl working a part- or full-time job, going to school full time and have numerous bills to pay. The thing is you aren't alone. Take a deep breath. The great thing that I have learned about college is it allows you to explore and helps you find what you are truly passionate about. Think about it this way, Latinos have the lowest college completion rate out of any ethnic group. We have struggled, but we can succeed. Next time, ask yourself when you switch your major, feel down or feel like giving up, "Do I want to be a part of a statistic?"

"Don't ever forget where you came from otherwise you'll never know where you're going" — Unknown

Your cultura is a beautiful thing and, little do you know, it has undoubtedly shaped you into the person you are today. Whether you are Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Guatemalan, Chilean, Salvadorian, Colombian — it doesn't matter. What I have found the most beautiful thing in the would is that it doesn't matter what the color of your skin is, what food you eat or what holidays and traditions you celebrate. Latinos Somos Unidos. So embrace all the little things your parents have given to you, and be proud to mention on your graduate school applications, interviews and business meetings how you are [*insert ethnicity here*] and proud.