Hello, my name is Raquel Sanchez Perez. I was born in Zitacuaro, Michoacan, Mexico. I arrived in the United States at the age of one and was able to apply for DACA at the age of 17, which opened many doors. I am currently taking online classes at Spokane Community College, which allows me to work toward my career in forestry ecology at my own pace. I want to be part of this career because not many women and people of color are in this type of field.
Attending community college allows me to work towards my career at a more accessible cost for my parents. I was previously attending Washington State University. However, the cost of tuition was very expensive, and I decided to do online classes at a community college because it was more financially feasible for me to participate in a community college rather than a 4-year university. The financial barrier I encountered when attending college was not having full coverage of financial aid for my education, and my parents had to help me pay the other half, which became an extra expense in my household. It was difficult for my family to support me financially due to the extra costs and buying books for school, which caused a financial burden for my family. Being in a family with multiple kids in college is stressful for both my parents, mentally and financially.
A free community college will benefit my family and me by lifting most of the stress off our shoulders. As well as allowing me to focus more on school and not worry about how I will pay for school when the new quarter begins. I believe community college should be free for all because everyone should have the same opportunity to get higher education regardless of their immigration status and socioeconomic status.
Raquel Sanchez, Spokane