Buenos Aires Bound and Still on Home Confinement
I was released from FCI Dublin on January 9th. I started at PSU later that same week in one class, and then I got admitted for full-time for Spring quarter. I’ve gone full-time since then and earned placement on the President’s list three times. Over the summer the PSU World Language’s department began sending emails about the Gilman Scholarship. I’d never heard of it, so I attended an information session. I ended up finalizing my application just before the October 1st due date.
I won! I have secured a $5,000 scholarship through the US State Department to study public health in Buenos Aires, Argentina over the summer.
Here are the steps that this took to accomplish:
Forcing Dublin’s education department to print me a paper FAFSA so that I could mail it in.
Calling my Oregon state senator when I was improperly denied a state tuition grant.
Going to school full-time while working part-time and trying to rebuild my life from scratch.
Attending Senator Ron Wyden’s town hall and sharing my re-entry concerns with his chief-of-staff.
Maintaining a 4.0 GPA while simultaneously having to relearn how to use technology and integrate in PSU’s culture.
Getting permission from my interim PO to apply for the Gilman and obtain my passport.
Contacting Ron Wyden’s office about my concerns that the US State Department would deny my passport application for my drug convictions, when I’m applying for a passport to further my education.
Getting my passport two weeks later.
Attending the Gilman workshop.
Writing the essay.
Submitting everything by the deadline.
Patiently waiting three months while silently continuing on course.
Keeping a positive attitude.
Prioritizing my mental health in the face of stressors.
Being awarded the Gilman and having such such a record that US Probation is willing to support my study-abroad.
Jumping through dozens of additional hurdles with a smile on my face, grateful for the opportunity and willing to put in all the extra work to achieve my dreams.