Studyking abroad in portugal!

Raymond Rodriguez Start Date: May 4, 2024 - End Date: Nov 3, 2024
  • Lisbon, Portugal

My Travel Story

by: Raymond Rodriguez Start Date: May 4, 2024 - End Date: Nov 3, 2024
       At a young age with my father being a heroin addict and step father being an alcoholic. I was a kid that went through physical and mental abuse. I am applying for this scholarship, because I have dealt with mental illness since my early 20's. I have been getting help with it. I was kid that went through homelessness since around 13 running away from home, to escape the violence. I was on and off the streets till last year, where I went to a hospital and got help July 23rd, 2023. Where I went to college hospital, and enrolled in Fullerton college. Started my college career. I am in the sober club, sociology club and AGS Honors society. Where I volunteer in college and community. I am looking to get into the human services and/or social worker where, I feel I will be suited to help other's by bringing them up to the level they need to be.

       Helping them realize their full potential, and help them live a better quality of life. I feel addiction and mental health go hand and hand. I want to share and feel it is my obligation to help my community and mankind, fight this issue that I feel isn't looked at enough. As the community that deals with this issue just gets written off as crazy, and isn't treated as though they are important. Sort of swept under the rug. I have lost many friends to suicide, accidental suicide, suicide and overdose. I myself over ten years ago tried to kill myself, but God didn’t see fit for me to come home.

       I have recently got interviewed and got good news that I am going to go to Lisbon, Portugal to study abroad. I can use some help with the trip. I will be ethnic studies and college creative thinking classes. I have been afforded a great opportunity, that I would like to take full advantage of. To look back and see I have come so far and am at a place where I can believe and never thought I would be when I was living in the streets. It's is unreal, it also shows me that there is so many others that are as we call invisible people, that have some amazing potential to become something great, it's living inside them and their brain is to clouded to realize it. They just need help and some to believe in them and let them know that they can do it. I want to be that guy, that help's my fellow addicts, and people that have mental health issues.

       I am involved with a program called telecare that helps me get therapy and psychological help. As well, as housing. I believe in the cause and everything it stands for I never felt so passionate about helping others then I do now. I plan on helping other's get a new lease on life, like I have been afforded. Let them know they have value, and they will realize that themselves. I’ve had so many people that I don’t know that have invested time in me, with compassion, understanding, and good will that I am eternally grateful. I will be that guy. Thank you for your time.
  • Lisbon, Portugal