En Espanol
" NO HAY PEOR LUCHA QUE LA QUE NO SE PELEA." This is a well-known Puerto Rican saying that; "
there is no worse struggle than the struggle that is not faced."
Hello, I am Darilynn Cardona - Mendez and I am from Puerto Rico. This message gave me the
courage to come to the United States to finish my education. I was scared, afraid of the change,
and unsure of the culture and the "big monster," the language. Today I look back and I laugh. Yes,
it was difficult, but not impossible.
Now I am a second-year student and I will finish my master's in December 1997. I remember my
first semester, it was hard. The language barriers, the cultural shocks, and the crazy weather, but
I survived. I worked hard, it's still hard work no question, but MSASS helped me during the
process. I had a tutor who helped me with the language problems. I have a field placement according
to my cultural interest and the most importantly, an excellent education and supportive professors.
It is difficult to summarize my experiences at MSASS but I will mention a few; I am doing my
internship in a Hispanic agency in which I work with Latino families and at the same time I'm
working on my own research project in Latina issues. I also had the opportunity to visit Romania to
work on a research project and facilitate a training session.
I chose MSASS because it goes with my aim to obtain and education that would allow me to conduct
research, develop programs, teach, and write about the conditions of Latino families, and
communities while expanding my clinical skills and professional standing in order to influence the
wider social context. To reach these goals I know that I will need to obtain a Ph.D. and I am
looking forward to stay at MSASS to do so.
Being at MSASS has allowed me to experience a variety of cultural, educational, and professional
settings that have given me access to assorted world views, while simultaneously promoting my
personal and professional growth. I believe that MSASS has provided me with the opportunities and
the cultural awareness essential in terms of my professional goals; and finally, motivated me to
continue to work to further the social, educational, and economic conditions of minorities in the
United Sates.
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