““I can barely begin to quantify STEP’s impact on my life.””
Hassan’s parents immigrated to the U.S. before he was born. They left their home, culture, community, and family to seek a more prosperous future.
“Even though my parents exchanged the majority of their finite time for coins, we remained financially unstable. I remember learning how to a navigate a society that was predicated on Whiteness and American Capitalism,” Hassan says.
That’s why, as a Black male with first-hand experience growing up in a low-socioeconomic status household, Hassan wants to “implement public policy that doesn’t disproportionately affect low-income, marginalized students.”
Now, Hassan is in his first semester at Harvard University, and reflecting on the path that helped him get there.
“Three years ago, I decided to make the monumental choice to apply to STEP. At that time, I had no idea what STEP would become to me; however, my intentions were clear. I wanted to repay the sacrifices my parents made. And today, I can barely begin to quantify STEP’s impact on my life. I am so grateful for such a wonderful program.
I would be mistaken if I didn’t mention one of the most important things STEP provided me: an experience that deeply shaped me.
The STEP Alaska Expedition transformed my perspective of the world. I realized the importance of others. During this intensive experience, we internalized the best characteristics of each other. To that, I thank the people I will never forget — Alexa, Alo, Alica, Damion, Itza, Kevin, Kim, Leslie, Mi, Miah, and Sebastian.”