For me, the best of both worlds lies between home and school. Therefore, I chose to attend the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center in McAllen, which is approximately 13 miles away from my house. From the personal connections to the peaceful campus environment, I can enjoy a quality Aggie education while staying close to my family, friends and culture.

I arrive on campus just before 8:00 in the morning every day; this allows me to get to class early and snatch the best parking spot. My footsteps echo through the building as I enter, with not a single person in sight. Leaving class once the clock approaches 9:15 am, I can hear several voices and footsteps below bouncing up to the second floor. Coming down the stairs, students have filled all available seats and tables.

Walking toward the lobby, the smell of free coffee grows stronger with every step. In the fall, various treats are also provided, including conchas, Mexican hot chocolate and, during some events, tamales. This campus is full of life. It is not hard to find a quiet place to study and the big open windows bring me clarity. When I need help, I can always find my professors in their offices. Meeting with them face-to-face is one of the best parts about the McAllen campus. During my working schedule later in the afternoon, you can find me on the first floor in the tutoring room. It is great to see several students line up for tutoring and even recognizing them as your own classmates or friends since our campus is so connected.

From the personal connections to the peaceful campus environment, I can enjoy a quality Aggie education while staying close to my family, friends and culture.

When I am not studying or working, I hang out with my friends or attend school events. The wide-open field provides a great space for soccer games and our big lake allows for a relaxing kayak ride or calm fishing spot. Although we do not have Aggie football games or Midnight Yell, the special part about the Higher Education Center is that we get to create our own traditions and clubs, like our student garden cared for by El Jardin de Cultivo.

On the outside, our building seems small but after taking a step inside, it is easy to appreciate the personal closeness yet physical openness of it all. As I ride forward here in McAllen, I am excited to see how Texas A&M will change the city around me for the better and where this road will take me next!