Christian Pastor, majoring in Electrical Engineering, is a LatPro Scholarship Finalist

[M]y name is Christian Pastor. I am a senior electrical engineering student at Penn State. I am originally from Peru and I moved to the United States six years ago. Since I was a little kid, I had an interest for technology and being really good at math helped me decide what I wanted to be once I grew up. My dream was always to be able to be part of something revolutionary and exciting that would change life as we know it and help many others in the process.

The road to pursue my dreams has not been easy for me. The first big challenge that I faced was the opportunity to move to the United States. The first years were challenging. In high school, it was hard not knowing the language very well. My grades did not seem to be affected much though; math helped me a lot with that. Math is the same anywhere we go which I think is very cool. It’s like a universal language, and because I was always good at it, my good grades in math balanced with my below average grades from English and other classes. After three long years in high school I graduated. The beginning of a new stage in my life and new challenges to face were waiting for me.

Once in college, I realize that the level of education was much greater, but I never give up. Throughout my life, I have learned that if the situation becomes tough, I need to get tougher and with a determined mind I will manage to overcome anything that comes in my way to success. 

During my college career, I came across the Robotic Outreach Program at Penn State Abington. This is a program dedicated to promote robotics, education, research and STEM careers through friendly robotic competitions open to K-12 and college students. I was fascinated to join this program and help however I was able to. It was a great way for engineers to get together, exchange ideas and learn from each other. This was also a great way for me to reach out to those kids in elementary, middle schools and even other kids in the audience and let them know how cool and fun technology can be. From then on, I always enjoyed joining such event.

The next challenge I am already facing and it is to graduate from college with a degree in electrical engineering and obtain a job where I can be a part of something extraordinary that will help many people around the world. Life can be difficult and challenging, but it is from those challenges that one can learn and grow a lot as a person and as a student. I know there is a lot more challenges to come but with the support of my family, the help of friends and determination, I know I will be able to overcome these challenges and achieve the goals set for my future.

LatPro.com’s scholarship program is proud to announce Christian Pastor as one of the finalists for its December 2012 application deadline. Vote for his essay (Facebook ‘Like’ and other social media sharing options in left column), click the ‘star’ just above comments section below, and/or leave comments of support to help us with the selection process.