My Experience In Visiting Venezuela
It was the summer of 2014, probably the last time I’d have the opportunity to visit my cousins in Venezuela. I honestly didn’t know what to expect; I had visited Venezuela before when I was younger, but I didn’t recall much. There was always breaking news on the economic and social crisis in Venezuela. It made my body tremble with fear. As we boarded the plane I looked to my dad and nervously said to him, “Dad, I’m scared.” I could notice he was a little nervous himself when he whispered in my ear, “Don’t worry Fabi, your cousins are in a safe place but make sure to always to have an open mind.” An open mind? I thought to myself. I had no idea what that meant.
Hours later we arrived at the terminal and there were my cousins waiting for us. I immediately reconnected with them. On the way to their house, I looked out the car window. Homeless people, empty shops with broken windows, and polluted streets. It was heartbreaking. Out of all of the observations I made throughout the car ride, the one that stood out the most was of my cousin not having an access to new technology. Living in one of the richest countries in the world, I was used to everyone having access to modern day electronics. That’s when I realized that not everyone was given the same opportunities I was given. I was lucky. Lucky to be in a well developed country.
I felt the need to be the example for the rest of my family, given I was granted opportunities that they weren't. Trying to find the ideal major was one of my biggest challenges in order to accomplish my goal. The fear of potentially choosing the wrong field was always in the back of my head as I wanted to make the right choice that would define my life. One stood out to me the most, law. I think law makes the principles and deterrents that are fundamentally vital for our society as law it’s the public conscience that tells us right from wrong. As I researched more, I found that corporate law was the major that suited me best.
I enjoy being up to date with news that surrounds multinational corporations. I believe I can succeed in this career path as corporations will always need counseling in business transactions, negotiations, and drafting contracts. Unlike other subjects, law has a specific set of rules and strategies that need to be applied in order to find a solution to corporate problems. Given my experience in MUN, forensics & debate, and my position as a senior committee leader, I have developed certain skills like leadership, teamwork, commercial awareness, research and communication that are not only essential in life but beneficial towards my law major.
In MUN I have learned to be globally aware, as participating requires an abundant amount of knowledge in several UN departments like ECOSOC, CPD, UNIDO, among others that affect the world we live in. In forensics and debate, I developed research skills as well as debating skills that helped me win school debates, but most importantly learn from my mistakes and how to strategize arguments. Lastly, in the senior committee, I learned how to deal with different opinions in a short amount of time in order to reach compromises that would satisfy my peers. I truly believe that these skills are crucial not only for this major but on a daily basis as well.
Although English is my second language, I do not see it as a barrier, rather, an advantage. I always strive to make my English better. Being able to speak four languages including Spanish, English, Portuguese and French has been a privilege that I do not intend to take for granted and plan to use it in any way I can throughout my career. Languages can open many doors in the current world we live in as the world continues to become more interconnected in a variety of fronts, making communication skills all the more valuable in the current climate. Law has opened my eyes to new perspectives. Law is a competitive field which I enjoy and I believe I can stand out in. I aspire to study in the UK because I believe it will be a challenge through which I can succeed by putting the right amount work and effort in so I can reach my goal and exceed what I had imagined.
