A Major Experience

          I can still remember when this opportunity was put on my plate. Time passed and this opportunity was a reality. A couple of friends from my former job (EOYDC), the executive director Ms. Regina Jackson, the Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and myself flying out to Boston for a college tour! I looked at this as a great idea; I was excited and looking forward to it. This was very exciting for me because once I knew this trip was confirmed, it would be a never forgotten educational experience. When I knew we were going to fly I got a bit timid at the beginning. The reason for that is because before this, I had never flown on a plane before in my 16 year old life. The departure and the landing was all new for me to feel and experience, but yet very exciting.

          Once we arrived in Boston I felt the different atmosphere surrounding me. The point of the trip was to have fun while receiving educational information that will broaden our choices as youth for our future. We were going to visit universities all the way out to the east coast and for the first time for me.

          I had told Ms. Regina that I wanted to major in engineering. That said, she started talking about how MIT was a very good engineering school to attend along with other universities that are found in the college town of Rhode Island. When we went on college tours I really enjoyed them because I could see the diversity in their culture. Then I found it real interesting when I was informed that Harvard University had a myth that if you walked through the main gate more than once, you will have bad luck. You should only walk in through there once as a freshmen and the second time as a senior. This myth was very similar to Brown University's myth. If you walk through there more than once and you are a woman, you will get pregnant and if you are a guy you will have bad luck for the rest of your time at Brown. This was one of the many things that stayed in my head the most.

          When we visited Brown I didn’t know before that there were three engineering buildings sitting there which were very good as well. We received a tour at this university from a member of our EOYDC family. This tour was the one that I enjoyed the most because it was more like a personal tour than a regular tour. On the other hand, we were playing around and enjoying ourselves with the students who were there at the time when we visited and made new friends. We took pictures and chatted for a little while then moved on with our tour. Very enjoyable I thought!

          When our great experience at Boston came to an end, it was something that I didn’t want to come to an end in the first place, but on the other hand the trip got better. My time spent there was a time in my life that I will never forget. Also getting to meet Nnamdi and know him better and looking at him more like a friend than a professional athlete was phenomenal. More importantly, my relationship with everyone attending this trip became closer and   it was enjoyable seeing us come closer!

          Thank you for everything, Ms. Regina and Mr. Asomugha!

Genesis Preciado