Name: Nora Garcia
Hometown: Ecuador
College: University of New Haven
Major: Political Science
Tutoring Site: Willow and Bristol
Favorite Childhood Book: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Ever since I was a young child, I have been driven by a deep passion for giving back to the community. This is one of the reasons why I chose to study political science. During my freshman year of college, I delved into various ways to make a positive impact on the world, such as through diplomacy, enhancing public policies, engaging with international organizations, and more. While I found these subjects fascinating, I yearned for tangible ways to create a better world, not just in a theoretical way. I understood the transformative power of public service in changing lives, which led me to pursue the University of New Haven Public Service Fellowship.
Within this fellowship, I was placed at New Haven Reads, an experience that has truly been one of the highlights of my life. Spending time with the children has brought me immense joy. Witnessing their progress in developing their reading skills is my favorite aspect of this work. Every day, I come home with a wide smile, knowing that I am not only contributing to their happiness, but also empowering them to succeed. Assisting children from diverse backgrounds and establishing connections with them is a remarkable experience. Their explanations of their cultures and traditions have broadened my understanding and appreciation of different ways of life. Encountering students who share my own background has been particularly heartwarming, as they are thrilled to find someone who understands their traditions.
One of my cherished memories involves spending quality time with a sweet little girl during our puzzle activity. She confided in me about her plans to organize a surprise party for her mom, expressing the difficulty of finding time away from her mom’s watchful eye. She asked me how I manage to have time without my mom, to which I replied that I don’t live with my mom anymore. Surprised, she exclaimed, “That’s incredible! I didn’t know girls could live alone.” After that she asked me how she can do that in the future, I encouraged her to work hard and become a strong, independent woman. From that moment on, she enthusiastically tackled her tasks, expressing her desire to be “a strong and independent woman” in the future.
Assisting these children in improving their reading skills and witnessing their personal growth each day brings me immense fulfillment. Working with these incredible students has had a profound impact on my life, and I firmly believe that I have played a role in positively transforming many lives. I’m positive I am already making this world a better place helping these students, because these kids are the future of our world.
