Personal Statement Since a very young age, I became interested in understanding how cultural changes can affect the

identity of people and the way they live. When I was in third grade, I learned in my History class that Native Indians called Tanos used to live in Puerto Rico before the Spanish colonization took place. Soon after the Spanish conquest of Puerto Rico, Tanos were reduced to a small remnant that fled to the mountains. Since the Tanos were almost extinct, the Spanish brought African slaves. Today, the cultural and racial make-up of Puerto Ricans reflects features of these three ethnic groups, Africans, Tanos and Spanish. Since I learned about the racial composition of modern day Puerto Ricans, I became very interested in understanding how the interactions between different cultures can shape the sociocultural identity of mixed populations. In my school years, I was in a hunger for knowledge and cultural immersion of the understanding of the human being. While I went through high school history and social studies were my favorite classes. From the moment the teacher started to talk about Puerto Rico history I was absorbed in the explanations, I could not help but to think about the Tanos and civilizations of the past, I was fascinated. From an early age, I realized that history and social studies where really interesting classes. On the other hand, what intrigued me the most was not how interesting they were, but the understanding, the analytical skills of certain situations in different times and a certain culture. One day I had the opportunity to visit the Tibet a turistic center where you can find remains of the impressions of Tanos in the colloquial era, from their home called Bohios (native people homes) food, jewelry to their engraving in rocks and walls. From that moment on, I began to visit museums not just only on school field trips but by myself in my spare time. I like to visit history museums and ask about the artifacts in the exhibition and the different historical eras, especially the natives people civilizations. I want to know more about them and not just about their remaining but some social equally aspects of them. In fact, because of my interest in social sciences there is no wonder how happy I was when last summer I went to American Museum of Natural History in New York City, N.Y. It was the most impactful experience. I had the opportunity to see all every one of the exhibitions of the museum. However, the exhibitions of Native peoples from all over the world interest me the most; their culture, attire, customs, etc. I was immersed through the lectures and readings. I felt I was almost part of their culture. Therefore, when I returned home I started to do research of my own, read different types of subjects materials. I knew that anthropologist was not just a career that I simple like, but one that fascinated me in every aspect of my life. Understanding my own culture makes me more open to other cultures. I have communicated with people of different backgrounds in high school and my ability to respect the ways that are different from mine has always helped me. I am truly sure that there would have been less international conflicts if people really did respect and try to understand other cultures and their ways. I would like to share my openness and experiences with other students and show them how to get the best from destroying stereotypes. Through my life I had many experiences that had impacted in some way the perspective I currently I have of the worlds. These experiences opened my mind, and help to understand where I was and what I wanted to do more

than anything in my life. Anthropology, more than a field or career path overtime it has become a part of my life. One way I became interesting was through my interest in social studies in school and visiting museums. These experiences each help me to awake the curious inner girl inside me. As a leader in different organizations, and clubs and initiatives such as bullying prevention at my school, March against cancer I had the opportunity to study other and have anthropology and the way we see things in worlds how people faced different setbacks. Also, my volunteer experiences help me, for example with senior center I had the opportunity to help seniors listen to their wise words and learn a little bit more about Puerto Rico colloquial times during the Spanish conquest and how was life in the past. Other volunteers experiences such as volunteering in home for maltreated children and Soup Kitchen Amos House at Rhode Island help me to understand people a little more and their circumstances. These experiences both in school and as a volunteer help me develop skills of leadership and analytical, but especially of communication. I believe that these experiences, both in school and as a volunteer help me develop skills of leadership and analytical, but especially of communication. I would like to study majoring in Anthropology and concentrate in the sub field of social and physical anthropology, so that I could explore my interest in the study and understanding of the humankind and society, and after years in the field share my knowledge with others becoming a Professor. In the future, study assimilation of indigenous people to modern societies. I would like to further study Tano culture, which has been abandoned over the years and people have little to no knowledge about it. I would like to explore it and make new discoveries that will help to have a better understanding of the identity and who is the Puerto Rican in the actual modern world. I will most likely take advantage of any opportunities offered by your institution. I hope this personal statement supports my application and demonstrates that I am motivated, hardworking person, versatile, imaginative who will enjoy contributing to all aspects of University life.