My ABP Story.

When deciding which school to transfer to after receiving my AA, all I wanted to do was get out of Florida. I applied to the University of San Francisco, which was my dream school since I was young and the University of Portland. I knew it would be a far stretch for me to actually leave, but I tried everything in my power to. After being accepted and going on both college tours, staying in Florida was definitely not in my plans.

Yet, here I am.

My backup plan was to attend Florida International University since it was close to home, I'd be able to keep my job, and save money. Even though there were positives to my plan, I knew that I wasn't going to be happy. Attending UCF at least gave me the opportunity to live on my own, and that is ultimately why I finally finished my application after leaving it half completed multiple times. I came to UCF with the mindset that I was AT LEAST able to be on my own, despite the fact that I still was not completely satisfied with where I was headed.

One of the first things I did after turning in my application was seeing if UCF had ABP. I had previously been a part of an ABP volunteer trip to the Dominican Republic connected with FIU and wanted to attend another trip. After seeing that ABP was available at UCF, I become slightly more optimistic. I ended up going on two trips last year, which strengthened my feelings for UCF and my experience here thus far.

Still, I never thought that I would love UCF. I knew that I would end up liking it, which I had, but I never thought that it would mean something more to me than just the university that I attended. Becoming a coordinator for the Alternative Break Program has changed that completely. Now, I speak highly of UCF and what it has to offer. I am now a part of something that makes sense to me. I have met many people who have taught me so much about myself and how to make this world a little bit better every single day. People who care and want to make a difference. People who make ME want to make a difference. So, thank you to my ABP team for all that you do and will continue doing for me and for others.

Thank you for transforming my UCF experience into something that I am proud of.