Gabriela Amaral Costa

I am from Brazil. No one from my family of origin ever graduated from college, and my parents never prioritized school. I almost gave up on getting my high school degree or moving on to college. With the help of my teache, my mentors, and my employer, who is a psychiatrist and my
therapist, I realized I could graduate and go on to college. I worked very hard to become fluent
in both English and Spanish, I worked even harder to support myself financially while studying. But I believe the greatest
challenges become the best inspiration so now I know what destiny has in mind for me.
It’s my turn to give back. In pursuit of an education in psychology and my dream to become a
social worker, I can give back to the minority communities where I live, both as a trilingual
therapist and as a mentor. Getting my degree would also be the proudest moment of my life.