By Nafew A. – Fulfillment Fund Scholar | UC Berkeley ‘28
My journey to UC Berkeley began halfway across the world, in Bangladesh, where I grew up until I was 14 before moving to the U.S. in 2020. Adjusting to a completely new educational system was challenging. Back home, the college admissions process works very differently. You take exams, get ranked, and are placed into a major. Here in the U.S., everything felt unfamiliar and overwhelming, from navigating college applications to choosing extracurricular activities and understanding financial aid. I didn’t know where to begin.
That is when I met Ms. Amaya, my Fulfillment Fund college counselor, while I was a high school student at Los Angeles High School of the Arts (LAHSA). From our very first conversation, she made me feel like I had someone in my corner who truly understood the challenges I was facing. She encouraged me to get involved in extracurricular activities and invited me to join the Fulfillment Fund Ambassador Program, which opened up a whole new world of opportunities.
One of the most memorable experiences was the Northern California College Campus Tour. For the first time, I stepped onto UC campuses, including UC Berkeley. Seeing the campus and imagining myself there was inspiring. I realized that attending a school like UC Berkeley was within reach and that I could truly see myself there. Fulfillment Fund did more than just show me campuses — they helped me dream bigger and actualize my dreams.
Applying to college for the first time felt overwhelming, but I had support every step of the way. Ms. Amaya guided me through completing all the application requirements, crafting my Personal Insight Questions, and shaping my essays so they reflected my story authentically. The Fulfillment Fund team also provided me with a scholarship, which was not just financial support but a vote of confidence in my potential.
Today, I am a sophomore at UC Berkeley, pursuing a double major in Economics and Computer Science. I recently completed an internship with Teleo Capital over the summer, working closely with Carla Trujillo, Fulfillment Fund’s Career Advisor. Through Fulfillment Fund’s partnership with the CareerSpring platform, I was connected to this opportunity, which helped me gain hands-on experience and prepare for my future career.
Looking back, Fulfillment Fund has been there at every step, from helping me adjust to a new country, guiding me through high school and college applications, to supporting my career readiness. I feel supported to succeed in college because I know I have a strong foundation of support rooting for me, providing guidance, resources, and encouragement whenever I need it.
Fulfillment Fund is not just an organization. It is a partner in my journey, helping me navigate challenges, celebrate milestones, and imagine possibilities I might never have considered on my own. I would not be where I am today without their guidance and support, and I hope my story can show just how transformative their work is for students like me.
Fulfillment Fund helped me navigate high school, guided me through the college application process, and connected me with my first internship. Along the way, they nurtured my leadership skills and provided the support, resources, and confidence I needed to pursue my dreams and succeed at UC Berkeley.