AH 3099: Senior Capstone
Learning & belonging
Academic interest
Which courses shaped my interests the most:
The following classes have influenced my passion for nursing and healthcare
HDFS 3095- Special topics: Cultural Diversity in Children's Development
HDFS 3430- Abuse and Violence in Families
AH 4240W- Writing for Allied Health Research
Nurs 2100W- Fostering a Culture of Health through Health Equity and Interprofessional Collaboration
I am so thankful to have been able to take these courses, and it was a reminder of how I'd like to give back to my community through becoming a nurse. I learned the importance of advocacy and resilience, because one has to be strong-minded to support their community!
What Organization & Associations made me feel belonged!
Without these programs & associations, I would have felt lost at UConn! Thankfully, I was able to become part of these communities and make new connections and friends!
AH 4240W- Writing for Allied Health Research
Nurs 2100W- Fostering a Culture of Health through Health Equity and Interprofessional Collaboration
Research Paper on Undocumented Immigrants and Work-life balance in the U.S
Paper on Undocumented Mexican immigrants in the U.S
How did research and discussions connect to Latinx/immigrant health?
The AH 4240W course allowed me to pick a research topic and create a potential research study that is close to my heart: How work-life balance impacts health and stress outcomes in undocumented immigrants.
The Nurs 2100W course also allowed me to pick a topic, and since my passion is becoming an advocate for my community, I chose a specific Hispanic community of undocumented immigrants and how the Social Determinants of health and Health Equity play a role in their well-being
Overall, both of these courses helped me understand how important it is to keep advocating for the undocumented immigrant communities within the U.S. The political climate in the U.S. is very hostile to this group, despite all the hard work they do in unsafe work conditions and at low wages. I believe that they deserve the same respect and support as I see the hard work my own parents do.
HDFS 3095- Special topics: Cultural Diversity in Children's Development
Project: Developmental Niche
HDFS 3430- Abuse and Violence in Families
Paper on Culturally grounded IPV services for Latina Survivors
How did research and discussions connect to Latinx/immigrant health?
The course HDFS 3095 helped me understand how child development is different within each culture, and how a child is raised depends on these norms. Through conducting my own research on my brother, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, I was able to see firsthand how my parents are raising him in an Ecuadorian Household.
The course HDFS 3430 helped me understand Intimate Partner & Family violence and the importance of creating research to help individuals through rough life experiences. I researched Latina women who face abuse, and unfortunately, there was not much research that highlights the importance of advocacy for minority groups like the Latinx/Hispanic community.
Overall, these two HDFS classes listed above helped me understand child development and family abuse. These are important topics to understand, as a future nurse and an advocate for my Latino community (which these topics are not researched enough!)
Programs/associations that helped me succeed during my time at UConn!
Learning & belonging
SI instruction:
- Similar to tutoring
- Was very helpful with BIOL 1107 and CHEM 1122
- Once a week for an hour
It was very helpful throughout my college career. I asked questions that I couldn't ask in lecture and it provided me better explainations about content of the class
PRLACC: Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center
- A center which felt like home!
- Hosted fun events relating to different cultures
- Collaberated with other clubs and First gen to host work shops (E.g. FASFA Support, Career bulding workshops..etc)
ECSA: Ecuadorian Student association
- Unites the Ecuadorian community on campus
- Has fun events related to the Ecuadorian culture
- Is a great place to make connections!
Overall, this association made me feel like I was home, and I made great lifelong friendships from attending their events!
First Gen:
- Designed for First generation students who need guidance
- Has events relating such as Resume workshops and FASFA workshops (I attended these every year!)
- A great place to make connections to professionals and other students
Overall, First gen has supported me in ways. Especially, the FASFA workshops since the application is tricky when a students parents are undocumented immigrants