Shakira Fedna
Shakira has always loved learning, so it was only natural for her to receive higher education. For Shakira, going to college allows her to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor.
When Shakira was younger, her mom was diagnosed with hypertension and high blood pressure. She wanted to be able to help her mom, as well as others, to not be sick anymore. “When I was younger, I didn’t really know what exactly to do to help them, so I thought, when I’m older, I’m going to get the knowledge I need to help them.” Shakira’s mom was thrilled that she wanted to go to college and showed her excitement and support throughout the whole process. Even now, her family shows their support by reminding Shakira to stay focused on her goal and provide for her however they can. Currently, Shakira is in the process of getting her license as a pharmacy technician and works at both CVS and Walgreens. Though she enjoys the work she does, sometimes she wishes that she had some more free time. “I see my peers studying all the time and attending college activities and sometimes I wish I could join them, but I can’t. It’s one of those things that I have learned to accept.” |
Family is everything to Shakira.
“Family gives me more motivation in the sense that I want my family, and myself, to be in a better position so that my future children will not have to feel the stresses that I did. I really appreciate my family for the various forms of support they have given me because they motivate me to be the best version of myself.”
Shakira is not alone in her journey to pursue higher education. Two of her siblings are also in college. She is the youngest in her family and entered college at the young age of 17.
Not only is she a first-generation college student, but also a first-generation American. Shakira immigrated with her family from Haiti when she was five years old to have the chance at receiving a better education. At one point in her childhood, she was bullied for the color of her skin. It took a lot of courage for her to assimilate, learn a new language, and rise above the bullying.
Shakira is very proud of her heritage. So proud that she and a couple of other students started a new dance club where she is the treasurer. This dance club focuses on cultural and ethnic type of dance.
“I feel like a lot of my beliefs are tied down to my culture as well as my upbringing.”
When asked what she is looking forward to in the future, she stated
“I’m just trying to learn from my mistakes and am trying to find every way that I can use to do better and become a better person and find my way. It’s a journey.”
“Family gives me more motivation in the sense that I want my family, and myself, to be in a better position so that my future children will not have to feel the stresses that I did. I really appreciate my family for the various forms of support they have given me because they motivate me to be the best version of myself.”
Shakira is not alone in her journey to pursue higher education. Two of her siblings are also in college. She is the youngest in her family and entered college at the young age of 17.
Not only is she a first-generation college student, but also a first-generation American. Shakira immigrated with her family from Haiti when she was five years old to have the chance at receiving a better education. At one point in her childhood, she was bullied for the color of her skin. It took a lot of courage for her to assimilate, learn a new language, and rise above the bullying.
Shakira is very proud of her heritage. So proud that she and a couple of other students started a new dance club where she is the treasurer. This dance club focuses on cultural and ethnic type of dance.
“I feel like a lot of my beliefs are tied down to my culture as well as my upbringing.”
When asked what she is looking forward to in the future, she stated
“I’m just trying to learn from my mistakes and am trying to find every way that I can use to do better and become a better person and find my way. It’s a journey.”