Kendra

I was born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Los Cabos by a Mexican mother and German father. The family's financial situation was impacted by the pandemic and despite the hardship, I’ve remained dedicated to my passion for medicine and was recently accepted to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to study Neuroscience, aspiring to become a neurosurgeon. With a vision to open a neurology clinic that integrates mental, spiritual, and physical health for all patients, regardless of socioeconomic status, I am eager to make a meaningful impact on the community. It’s excited to begin this new chapter in the diverse city of Los Angeles with some assistance from the Monarch Effect Foundation, continuing to balance my love for science with a passion for exploring new cultures, ideas, and friendships.

STORY

Blog

Summer 2025

Hello, readers! July and August have been amazing months. I took summer courses all of July, which kept me very busy. I had my final exams early in August, and when I finished, I started a 2-week internship at a hotel in Cabo. During this internship, I got to practice professional skills such as organization, teamwork, and customer service, which are all important for every career. After my classes and my internship, I was finally ready for a vacation! I had been saving the travel budget money MEF gives us for a trip to Europe, so that’s what I did! My mom and I flew to Turkey, and we took a cruise from there, which will end in Italy around mid-September. Monarch made this trip achievable, and I am so grateful that I was able to pay some of my part! This has truly been such an amazing experience, and I am so grateful to Monarch Effect Foundation for making it possible! Overall, July and August have been amazing months, mixed with both academics and an amazing cultural lesson.

June 2025

Hello, readers! This month was an important one for me because it was my first time back home since I left for college last year, and this time I’m actually staying longer than two weeks. This month marks a lot of "one year ago" moments, such as graduating from high school. I’m finally done with my first year at UCLA, and that makes me so excited, but also sad because time keeps going by quicker and quicker every day. June started off very stressful with the last finals ever as a freshman. I was really happy when I finished my last final, but then a wave of bittersweetness hit me with the realization that I’m never going to be a freshman in college again. Still, I was relieved to be stress-free for a few weeks. I got all A’s on my finals and all A’s for my final grades, which makes me so happy. I ended the year with a 3.8 GPA, and that makes me really proud of myself because I remember the first class I ever took at UCLA in September 2024. I was convinced this was too much for me, that I wasn’t prepared, and that I would fail. Therefore, ending my first year with a 3.8 is so amazing and makes me feel proud of how far I’ve come. I also did the last undie run of the year and my last undie run as a freshman with my friends. I then said goodbye to all these people who became my family literally in less than a year, and I’m so grateful for them. That was very sad, but it’s okay because I’ll see them again soon. Then I got to packing. I flew back home and was more than happy to see my parents, friends, and just to be back home. I got around two weeks off enjoying the beaches, the food, and the comfort of home, and then I started my summer courses. I am taking Physics and Theater to advance in my career, and so far it has been going very well. I get some of UCLA and some of home at the same time. I am very happy to be back home, but I am also realizing even more how amazing and lucky I am to go to UCLA. I honestly miss it, and I’m excited to go back as a sophomore!

May 2025

This month was my last full month of my first year at UCLA! I can't believe how quickly time went by and that I'm weeks away from finishing my first year of college. May brought along warm weather in California, which is really nice. All the flowers on campus bloomed, and it looks even prettier than before. My statistics final is coming up soon, so I’ve been studying ahead for that so I don’t cram. Besides that, all my other classes have been really fun.

I finished my last round of midterms, got my grades back, and got all As on them, so I'm happy about that! Since it got warmer and after finishing midterms, my friends and I took the opportunity to go to the beach! It was very different from back home (the water was cold!), but still so beautiful and so fun. It was nice to have a relaxing day after back-to-back exams and classes.

This quarter went by so quickly, and this month I’ve been trying to enjoy my last month here at this amazing university with so many amazing people. I’m reflecting on the person I was when I first got here and the person I am now—I’ve grown so much, and I am so grateful for having the opportunity to study at UCLA.

This month has been very bittersweet, as I’m excited to go back home, stressed about finals, but also nostalgic that I’ll need to leave my favorite place for a few months. Overall, May was marked by a lot of midterms, nice weather, and enjoying my people, UCLA, and LA in general before going back home for the summer.

April 2025

Hello readers! This month was genuinely hectic. I had my first round of midterms, which started in the last two weeks of April and extends into the first week of May. This quarter, I’m taking my first college math course, which was very intimidating for me. This class is definitely one of the hardest and most intimidating I’ve taken at UCLA so far, so I’ve been studying a lot and trying to do my best. The workload for my math class is crazy sometimes!

But I do have to say, since it’s a math class for life scientists, it’s very interesting to see how math applies to medicine and psychology, which are topics I love. I’ve been working a lot on doing my best on our weekly quizzes, and I have to say that although exhausting, hard work does pay off! So far, I have an A+ in the class, and I’m managing my time and workload to try to do my best while also doing well in my other classes. I’m looking forward to doing this midterm!

I do have to say April started really nicely tho! I was mentally refreshed after a few days back home and ready to start my last quarter of my first year at UCLA. My friends and I visited the Griffith Observatory for the first time! It was really fun and pretty to see.

Besides that, I’ve had to work a lot at school. Moreover, at the MCI, we started working on topics for the MEF college prep program with high school students, which makes me think back about when I was a senior in high school. I keep reminiscing and reflecting about how quick time goes by!

Overall, this month was a very busy but rewarding month! I’m in week 6 of my first year at UCLA, only 4 more weeks to go!

March 2025

This was a hard month to top. I need to start by saying I am so impressed by how fast this year is going by, and I can't believe this month is already over. March was very rainy, which made the campus flowers bloom and the plants grow even more, painting UCLA in beautiful purples and pinks. Around mid-March, I had my finals. This was a complicated quarter because I took four classes instead of three, so I really had to plan my schedule to fit in my study time appropriately. I am very happy because I got all As in my four classes, which makes me feel proud of myself and reminds me that hard work always pays off sooner or later. After my last final, my friends and I went to the beach at Santa Monica and then did UCLA's famous Undie Run. That was so much fun and a unique way to end the quarter. Then, one of my closest friends from UCLA and one of the girls who lives with me came back home to Cabo for spring break, which was so much fun. I got to show them my beautiful country and hometown, and I also got to go back myself and be reminded of how lucky I am to have grown up there. I also got to see my amazing parents, whom I missed so much, and I got the chance to meet up with some of the MEF family, which was really nice. Overall, this was such a good, fun, and relaxing month. I think I’m finally starting to balance my academic and social life, instead of only focusing on my academics, which makes me very happy and proud that I am learning how to manage my stress and loosen up a little.

January 2025

This month taught me a lot of things. I started New Year's with my parents back home in Cabo, which was incredibly nice. It was so nice to rest and sleep in my own bed, as well as eat my food and go to the beautiful beaches. Seeing my friends and spending time with my parents was the best thing ever. I was ready to go back to school after three amazing weeks of resting and being back home, but unfortunately, two days after I flew back to LA, the fires started.

I went to class on a random Tuesday as I usually would, and when I came out, there was a huge cloud of smoke covering the UCLA campus. The fire only grew from there, leading to the cancellation of our classes for the rest of the week. Those days were filled with uncertainty and fear. I could see the flames from my room, and people I care about lost valuable things. I had to fly back home on Sunday (exactly a week after I arrived). Back in Cabo, I had to take classes online, which was definitely not the way I saw the beginning of my year going. It felt like COVID all over again, and I was having a hard time focusing.

We had no idea when we were going to have classes again, but that was the least of our

problems. So many people and animals lost their homes and lives. This was a harsh reminder to appreciate life always, since it happened so abruptly, you never know. It made me think about how I should appreciate the little things more. It also reminded me to be more grateful for what I have since I was able to fly back home easily, but many people weren’t.

Finally, after a week online, I went back to classes normally, and this month flew by. I’m already in midterms!

Overall, this month was overwhelming for sure, but I’m coming out of this with a more positive view and taking the good lessons instead of holding onto the bad things. I'm also praying for everyone affected and incredibly grateful to live in such an amazing and beautiful place like LA.

December 2024

This month was a mix of emotions and milestones. I finished all my UCLA midterms, and it was such a relief as well as a great step toward settling into university life. I’m thrilled to share that I got A’s on all of them! It’s funny adjusting to the letter grading system here instead of the 10-point scale I’m used to. It’s one of the many changes I’ve been adapting to.

Now, I’m preparing for finals, which will take place during the first and second weeks of December. I’m also looking forward to heading back home in mid-December. I’ve been thinking a lot about going back and reuniting with my friends and family. It’s bittersweet because, while I’m so excited to see everyone, I know I’ll miss my university, my new friends, and California. Reflecting on the past few months, it’s crazy to think about how much I’ve grown as a person in such a short time. UCLA has given me so many “firsts”: I met my new best friends (and future bridesmaids!), turned 18, experienced my first Thanksgiving, and saw a true fall season with red leaves actually falling from the trees. I also took my first college exams and learned so much about myself along the way. November flew by, and it’s hard to believe I’m just days away from finishing my first quarter at UCLA. I’m excited to see what December has in store and to spend the holidays at home, even though I’ll miss my new home: UCLA.

November 2024

This past month has been a mix of emotions. I feel like so much has happened in such a short time. October is my favorite month of the year. I love the cool weather, Halloween, the changing leaves, and it’s my birthday month, too. This October was extra special because I completed my first college exams at UCLA. Taking those exams was nerve-wracking, but I’m so proud of myself for getting through it! I also made some incredible new friends that I’m growing closer to every day.

My dad came to visit for just a day, but it was amazing to see him, hug him, and spend even a little time together. And last but not least, I turned 18. Celebrating away from my lifelong best friends and my family was definitely bittersweet. It’s hard being apart from my mom and dad, especially on a day like that. But my friends here really went all out to make it special. My roommates even threw a surprise party, and my parents sent flowers and a card, so I felt their love even from afar.

Now, I’m so excited for Halloween tonight. I finally feel like I’m right where I belong—settling into this new country, this new state, and this new university. Being away from my family never gets easier, but this month has made everything feel so worth it. I had my lows, but they made the highs feel that much better. I can’t wait for what’s coming next and to go back home in December!

October 2024

I moved to Los Angeles two weeks ago to start a new chapter in my life, one that has brought about positive change. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced so far was saying goodbye to my parents and realizing that I won’t be living in the same house as them anymore. More than that, I’ve come to terms with the fact that I won’t see them every day. It is time to grow up.

With my 18th birthday approaching, I’ve been reflecting on all that I’ve accomplished, and I feel incredibly proud of myself and grateful for the people who have supported me along the way. I’m amazed by how much I’ve already learned just from meeting people from other countries—and classes haven’t even started yet! I’ve enjoyed getting to know new people and experiencing life in a place filled with culture and art, where I can take part in activities like going to the theater, something I didn’t have access to back home.

I’ve made friends from places like Turkey and Korea, and we’ve had fun trying to teach each other our languages and cultures. Now that I’m all settled in my dorm and just days away from starting my classes, I’m excited to keep expanding my knowledge while also enjoying this incredible new experience.

August 2024

As I prepare to pack my bags and say goodbye to my friends, my whole life flashes before me. It’s crazy to see that I’ve actually accomplished one of my biggest dreams, a dream that has been with me since I was around eleven years old. The thought of starting a new chapter in my life fills me with excitement—a new city, new people, new cultures, and the chance to study what I love in the university that I also love!

Yet, this moment is undeniably bittersweet. While it’s clear that I will miss my parents and friends, what often goes unspoken are the smaller things. The comfort of my own bed, the familiarity of my room, and the scenery of the roads in my hometown. As the days to leave Cabo come closer, I find myself appreciating these little things more than ever.

This journey has taught me to be open to change, to expand my horizons, and to embrace the unfamiliar. It has also shown me the value of hard work and perseverance—I’ve proven to myself that dedication and effort really do pay off.

I am excited to be a freshman again, and for the last time, grateful for this opportunity, and ready for what lies ahead, even as I hold onto the memories of home.