My alarm rang last Monday on what was to be the first day of my senior year—my last year here at Marquette. As cliché as it sounds, it feels like it was yesterday that I made it to O’Donnell Hall with my dad and I was ready for move-in day. It was a long journey to get here. I flew in from Puerto Rico, where I left my family and friends and everything I knew to come to a new city and try to live a new life. Yes, I flew from paradise to the tundra. No, it wasn’t because I hated the heat. At the conclusion of my senior year of high school, I had to make a decision. I knew that if I wanted to grow as a person, to form myself as a professional, I had to board a flight and try my luck in a different town, expose myself to professors whose guidance would be invaluable, and share and interact with peers who have the same aspirations as I do. As expected, most reactions I get from people when I tell them where I come from are mostly of shock and disbelief.

If I had a dollar for each time I’ve heard a “Wait, you’re from Puerto Rico?” or a “How/Why are you here?,” I’d be a millionaire. There have been hard times, moments where I can’t wait to go back home so my mom can cook for me or to jump in my car and meet my friends, but I don’t regret my decision at all. Of course, leaving your country to move to another is a challenge, but Marquette has been an eye-opening experience. I’ve seen places I never thought I’d see and met people I would have not otherwise met. I was anxious when I began my freshman year, yet gradually, I lost that fear and Milwaukee has grown to be my second home and one of my favorite cities. The past three years have been filled with hard work and sleepless nights, but with amazing experiences and new outlooks on life. To all the freshmen, enjoy your time here and don’t be stressed, just get ready for the best four years of your life.