In my excited–and half-wakened–state, I woke up at 4am to head into Manhattan for OppNet’s annual College Trip. Although I knew I would have three amazing days of traveling throughout the Northeast with my peers from OppNet, the anxiety I felt from being on different campuses, taking my college success journey to the next level wasn’t entirely dispelled. As a first-generation student and an immigrant, the college search process is daunting. And even though I’ve been on college tours before, the colleges we visited were very competitive, though monolithic. My imposter syndrome kicked in; I felt that the prestige and sameness of these schools might make me feel like I could not possibly belong.
But at OppNet, from the first day, I was encouraged to look at the diversity at each school. I thought that it was virtually impossible for students from underrepresented backgrounds to attend these competitive schools due to deep-rooted discrimination or socio-economic barriers. However, my tour guide at Wesleyan, who happened to be from an underrepresented background, helped me realize that possibility was real––that opportunities do exist. I also recalled my College 201 and 301 workshops at OppNet that helped me put affordability in context for what would work for me.
As I looked around different campuses, I saw people who looked like me. And others who didn’t. I realized how important it is for me not to exclude a school because I’m afraid I won’t succeed there or some factors are different than what I might’ve been expecting. I discovered there is immense value in going outside of my comfort zone to meet different types of people. It definitely was a relief to see students of color at these schools and listen to them share their stories. It made me feel that a community would be there for me to succeed in college.
The second day of the trip started in Hadley, Massachusetts. While I was sitting at the Mount Holyoke information session listening to a panel of amazing women of color share their thoughts about the college search process, a familiar emotion returned to me––fear. I found my thoughts slipping into anxieties about not succeeding at the college I will go to because I may be different from other students there. As if they read my mind, the women in front of me encouraged us to “take up room” and always be ourselves. I also learned that a lot of these colleges have support systems for first-generation and underrepresented students when transitioning into college.
The third day was bittersweet. While I was ready to go back home, I felt like I would miss the places we visited. The last day gave me some time to reflect on what I had learned about myself so far. Through this trip, I know now that I would like to go to a school in the city that still has a close-knit, town-like feel, and isn’t too far from nature. Having seen so many trees, lakes, and mountains on the trip, I realized it was important for me to have nature nearby. As we left the trip, I also thought about the people I met. They all represented different communities and interests and showed me that my education did not need to be dictated by anyone other than me.
This trip empowered me and excited me for college and the entire process ahead of me. Whereas before the trip I was mostly scared and worried, I left believing anything is possible.
I’m grateful I was given the opportunity to listen to other students and their personal experiences. Their bravery and confidence planted agency and possibility in me. And one day, I hope I can impact others in the future as a college student in the way that these admissions counselors and students have impacted me. I am excited to work towards that day by continuing my college success journey with OppNet!
Isaidy M. is an OppNet Fellow and 11th grade student at All City Leadership Academy.
