When I first transferred from a community college to the University of California, Los Angeles, I felt like an impostor. I was a 3rd-year undergraduate, and as I walked around the majestic and intimidating UCLA campus, I remember thinking, "I do not belong here. These people are so smart, young, and speak perfect English. I don't belong here."  

I was born in the northeast of Brazil a place called Recife. Thus, I didn’t learn English until my twenties. Additionally, I was 32 years old when I transferred to UCLA. I was what they called a "non-traditional student." These thoughts of not belonging in that environment started to interfere with my performance. I was afraid of raising my hand and speaking in class. I was afraid of “sounding stupid.” My fears had gotten so severe that few times while I was walking across campus, I felt that I was going to have a panic attack. I went to talk to the school psychologist, and she told me something that changed my college perspective. She said, "You are here for you. Not for anybody else, but for you." That was a turning point. She was right.

The countless hours I spent studying to get good grades to transfer to a world-class university it was not for somebody else; it was for me. The countless weekends I said no to hanging out with my friends to prepare for an exam, I also did that for me. I really wanted to get a higher education, I wanted to learn. Thus, it was no accident that I was in that University. I realized I deserved to be there. From the moment on I started to engage in class, speak with professors and joined two research labs.  I graduated with honors and received a Bachelors’ degree in Psychology and a minor in Gender Studies. Today, I'm a first-year clinical psychology doctoral student. It hasn’t been easy, but it is definitely worth it.

I wanted to share a piece of my journey with you because, more often than not, as a member of a minority group, we feel like intruders - especially in academia. However, you not only deserve to be in academia, but people like you and I are very much needed. We need diversity in academia, people with different backgrounds, and cultures that can enrich scientific knowledge. Thus, don't doubt yourself and go after your dreams. If you need help, ask for help. The most important thing is that you have to keep moving forward towards your goals, always. Do not stop.