“Becoming the Person I once Needed: A First-Gen Story of Healing and Hope”
For reference, this is one of my college scholarship essays about my upbringing. The story of my journey as a first-generation female immigrant, born and raised in Nepal—a developing country—while moving at age 10 to a small, conservative town of Carmel in the United States.
We linked this story to the next blog which discusses how a student (or post-graduate) can leverage the following story for career development and professional growth, and do that in a way we call “brain natural” in this series.
By Chhiring Sherpa UA’23 and Jim Stellar
“Be the person you needed when you were younger.” This quote has profoundly shaped who I am today. Growing up in Nepal without my parents, I lacked the support and guidance many children take for granted. Without role models, I often felt lost and disconnected. I struggled with self-worth, and there were times I felt like I didn’t belong to anyone. These early experiences instilled in me a deep desire to one day become the mentor and role model I never had—ultimately, the psychotherapist my younger self so desperately needed. At ten years old, I immigrated to the United States and moved to Carmel, a small, conservative town where I was one of the few Nepalese students. As I struggled to speak English fluently, I often felt invisible—looked down upon, isolated, and misunderstood. There were days I dreaded going to school, and found myself wishing to return to Nepal just to feel seen again.
Despite all these hardships, I challenged myself academically throughout high school by enrolling in college level courses like Accounting, Business Economics, Business Law, and AP Psychology. These classes have encouraged me to think on a higher level, preparing me for a prosperous education. Exploring my enthusiasm for sports and clubs, I participated in the volleyball and tennis team; while taking part in clubs such as the Mentor program, Students Assisting Students, National Honors Society, Business Honors Society and Safe School Ambassador. Through these experiences, I learned the importance of teamwork, perseverance, communication, and a strong work ethic.
As a first-generation college student and the eldest daughter of immigrants, I sought a university that would challenge me and help me find my purpose. After extensive research, I believe SUNY Albany is that place. I’m especially drawn to the Psychology Department’s wide array of research opportunities. The chance to work alongside passionate professors and students is invaluable to me. One faculty member’s research on eating disorders particularly stood out due to my own personal struggles in this area.
An eating disorder is not just a phase or a diet—it’s an illness, a disease, an addiction. For years, it impacted not only my health but also my academic performance. Having lived through the pain and recovery, I now want to dedicate my life to helping others work through the same or similar silent suffering. With a degree in psychology and the training SUNY Albany provides, I aim to become a psychotherapist who helps individuals manage these disorders and reclaim their lives. However, my journey is far from over. My parents, who never had the chance to attend high school, now work tirelessly as a driver and a housekeeper. Despite their sacrifices, their income cannot support both me and my younger sister. I am fully responsible for financing my education, and the weight of that financial burden is heavy. Support for my education won’t just help me get through college—it will empower me to change lives. With the opportunity to pursue my goals, I’m confident I can make a meaningful impact on both my campus community and society as a whole.”
As stated above, in the next blog, we explore together how to take this story and turn it into a career by first going into a Master’s Social Work program.
