Share the Dream essay by Jaida Domal
My journey to college hasn’t been simple. Growing up, my family moved around a lot, and when my parents divorced, life became even more difficult. Those experiences taught me how to adapt and keep pushing forward, even when things felt uncertain. Through the challenges, I realized how important it is to have people who care and support you, and that inspired me to want to be that person for others. Over time, I fell in love with the idea of helping people, which is what led me to nursing. I chose to attend the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth because of its strong nursing program and because it’s close to home. Nursing has always stood out to me as a career where I can combine my interests with my desire to make a difference. At UMASSD, I plan to focus on becoming the best student I can be, getting hands-on experience in the field, and building connections with professors and classmates who share my passion. Being here feels like the right step toward building the future I’ve been working toward. Looking ahead, I want to use my nursing degree to give back to others in meaningful ways. I hope to work in healthcare settings where I can support patients during some of the hardest times in their lives. I also want to advocate for better healthcare access, especially for people who might not always have the resources they need. My goal is to use my education to help people feel cared for and understood. In doing so, I want to make my mark by showing that strength and compassion can change lives.