I am originally from Cabanas, El Salvador. I grew up in Ilobasco-a small town renown for its ceramic shops and the artisan skills of its people. My family and I immigrated to the Seattle area in the early 90s due to the Salvadoran war struggles and civil unrest. I currently live in South Seattle.
I am a second year BSW student. My academic interest includes work with communities of color. I have a particular interest in immigrant communities because of my personal experience dealing with readjustment, language skill acquisition and other elements that a new country and a new set of differences bring (culture, values, views etc).
My immediate plans for the future are to complete a Masters in Social Work with particular interest on multicultural practice. I am not sure what I will be doing afterwards just yet.
Some of the hobbies that I have are web-building, graphic creation, drawing and painting (acrylic, expressionistic painting).
One thing that everyone should know about me is that I am very proud of being Latino and of being bi-lingual (ESL).
One thing that most people don't know about me is my age-that I am 20 years of age and in my last year of college.
As mentioned previously, the reason that I am taking this class is because I feel that empowerment of transnational people is, as much an important responsibility as it is connecting them to resources needed. Having immigrated here as a young boy, I know how difficult it is to readjust to this environment, especially if one was forced to leave its country of origin due to war.
The content of this course excites me the most. I have not had much exposure
to the struggles of African countries. This course will challenge me to explore
other areas of the world and to learn and make connections between
my experience and that of people from Eritrean/Ethiopian Diaspora.
There really isn't anything that makes me nervous about this course.