After coming from Ecuador and realizing that the U.S. was my new home I never really had goals for my future, perhaps because I was too young. I was only 8 years old.

It was in high school where I realized about my immigration status. That took a toll on me and I never thought about attending college.

It wasn't until my sister decided to enroll in community college, although my parents didn't approve. Their concern was how expensive it would be and how a college degree would be useful for an undocumented immigrant. She decided to take the risk and still enrolled.

After noticing her achievements and failures I decided to follow her steps. We both worked in catering and it paid well enough for both of us to be able to pay off our tuition alone without the help of our parents. Yet, after she finished with her associates, she decided a bachelors degree would be next.

My parents were surprised but most significantly proud. They completely changed their minds about college and decide to support both of us in pursuing our dreams. My sister graduated from SUNY Buffalo and soon, I will graduate from SUNY Albany.

It's honestly a bittersweet moment to even think I got this far, but to be fair, I don't think I could have done it if my sister wouldn't have taken the initiative first and without the help of my parents.

I never, ever thought about college, it just seemed impossible especially being an undocumented immigrant. I remember going into my senior year in high school and all my friends would talk about the universities they were accepted into and the options they had to choose from. I, on the other hand, had no clue if I was even going to go.

Yet here I am now, four years later close to finishing a double major and graduating with honors. Who would have thought? I know I didn't.

I don’t know how to explain how I feel, it’s a mix of many emotions. I’m scared because this is it, it’s my last time being an undergraduate student. I'm anxious because I don't know what to expect after graduating. Everyone who has already graduated keeps telling me to enjoy my last semester as much as I can, and how they wished they could go back to school. Yet, I’m excited because although it has taken me longer than four years to finish, I'm on my way and not just with one, but two degrees. I’m also sad because I will need to start “adulting” and particularly because I need to find a job which is stressing me out. Lastly, I'm motivated because I have worked so hard for this, but also, because I want to show that my immigration status didn't stop me from doing what any other American citizen can do, and to prove that this status doesn't mean failure or a crime. It means success and achievements.

I’m nervous for what life will bring me. After everything that I have overcome and accomplished, I can definitely say that I don't completely feel ready but I have been preparing for this moment.

This will be it. The time to prove myself to employers but for the most part, to prove to myself of what I can keep accomplishing.