DREAM Project Fellowship Testimonies: Victoria

Victoria (she/her) is a third-year undergraduate student from Santa Ana, CA, double majoring in Business Economics and Urban Studies. 

When she’s not in between classes, rewatching her favorite sitcoms, or doing arts and crafts, she spends her time getting involved in the Latino Business Student Association (LBSA), a student-run organization at UCI that aims to support its members who are interested in gaining professional skills and building friendships with other Anteaters. Being involved in LBSA has helped Victoria to build her resume, to know what to look out for in the job market, and to develop networking skills, especially through their mentor-mentee program. While its members strive to raise awareness of various Latinx identities and experiences on campus, the association is open to any student of all majors and fields of interest.

Aside from her commitments to student organizations, Victoria is currently participating in the DREAM Project Fellowship (DPF), a program that supports undocumented undergraduate and graduate students and their self and professional development journey at UCI. Program participants gain new experiences, relationships, and skills that will be invaluable to their long-term goals, whether that’s in entrepreneurship, higher education, or community work. I asked Victoria about her fellowship placement site, as well as her experiences as an undocumented student at UCI.

Do you feel safe/accepted at UCI? What space has made you feel the most comfortable about yourself as an undocumented student?

“I generally do feel safe within the UCI community. However, I don’t tend to share my status with my peers, so I'm not quite sure how my answer would change if I were to share my status. I feel that the space where I am the most comfortable as an undocumented student would probably be at the Cross Cultural Center and the DREAM Center. Although I don't frequently go to the DREAM Center, I have felt welcomed and accepted in the few times that I've been there.”

Why did you apply for the DREAM Project Fellowship? Before applying, what did you want to get out of the fellowship?

“I applied to DPF to open new doors and to gain work experience. Working with a fellowship that understands my motives and values allows me to further expand my knowledge and skills. I have always been interested in participating in various programs since it allows me to build connections with staff members that I would otherwise not be able to interact with. Participating in DPF also allows me to get a glimpse of what the workforce will be like. Additionally, I saw it as a stepping stone to what my future can be like.”

Which site were you matched with for the DREAM Project Fellowship? What have you gained or learned from the experience? Are you happy with your placement at that site?

“I have been fortunate enough to be matched with the Cross Cultural Center (CCC) for a second year in a row. Working at the CCC has given me the opportunity to plan and facilitate self development and student success workshops, community discussions, and different types of bonding activities, while leading a class of undergraduate students. It has also given me the privilege of conducting research and presenting my findings with the UCI Dean of Students, Dr. Miguel Hernandez. I am more than happy to have been able to create a connection with the CCC and I really enjoy working with the students and staff. Working at the CCC has given me an experience that I didn’t think was available to me.”

How has the DREAM Project Fellowship added to your professional development and goals?

“The fellowship has allowed me to learn more about social justice and advocating for those who are not able to. I have gained skill in facilitating, conducting and presenting research, community organizing, and public speaking — which is all something that I would've never thought I'd be able to learn. I have also been able to network with other campus staff and local organizations in Orange County, which has helped me develop good relationships and learn my communication styles.”

What kind of advice would you give to others as they consider applying to the fellowship?

“I would 100% recommend every undocumented student to consider applying to DPF. Not only will you be placed with a site of your academic and professional interest, but you will be able to gain experience within your future career plans. DPF provides a lot of opportunities for the undocumented community to branch out and to explore potential careers. Being able to build connections and networks will also be of good use in the long run. The community within DPF is always trying to ensure that we can all succeed. Most importantly, the DPF team will make sure that your voice is heard and that your needs are met.”

Is there anything you would like to tell your younger self before starting your undergraduate career at UCI? If so, what?

“One of the major things I would've liked to tell myself would probably be to not be too hard on yourself, and it is okay to take breaks because overworking yourself is only going to stress you even more. I feel that no matter how many times I’ve heard that phrase before, I just couldn't really take the advice. There were times when I felt like I had to be studying, reviewing material, or even just doing school related things, because for some reason I used to believe that if I wasn't working or being productive, I was just wasting time. This really did affect my work load because I was not able to fully enjoy my classes. Instead I felt as if I was forcing myself to do things. Luckily I had a good support system who helped me understand that breaks are essential, and that I shouldn't feel the need to be constantly working.”

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Victoria’s commitment to community building and developing programs for students are one of the many examples of what the DREAM Project fellows are up to in the program. If you are interested in learning more about the fellowship program and the projects that different students are participating in at their placement sites, please consider attending the Rising Together, Thriving Together Conference on April 30, 2022, from 9:30 am - 3 pm. This annual conference is a time for fellows to present either their research or project that they worked on throughout the academic year. This year’s conference will be in person and will focus on artivism, healing through art, entrepreneurship, community building, and much more! You’ll be able to network with the faculty and staff at UCI and connect with undocumented students at UCI. 

This event is FREE and open to UCI students, faculty, staff, high school students, and community college students. Family and friends of the fellows are also welcome to attend. If you are interested in receiving more information or attending, make sure to register for the conference here. 

If you have any questions, connect with the UCI DREAM Center at dreamcenter@uci.edu.