Do I Have Enough Skin in the Game Now?

---

​Every night without fail, my mother calls me to ask me in Spanish if I can transfer to the local university at home. It is hard being at Yale when my family does not even want me here. During my first year at Yale, I felt so intimidated to participate in seminars. My father had taught me that silence was key in surviving as a poor undocumented Latino. Every week, I work at least ten hours to send money back home. My mother really needs it. As each day passes, I feel more and more exhausted. It is difficult learning to navigate a predominately white, wealthy space while also dealing with serious problems back home and performing well academically, working ten hours a week, and lacking institutional support. Do I have enough skin in the game now?

---