By Samantha Contreras

The following blog post provides insight into how young people can realize their dream of affecting change in today’s society through learning about the world of public policy.

College sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply for the DMI Scholars program . Deadline to apply is January 27, 2008.

CALIFORNIA: I began my activism and passion to serve the public when I came close to the end of my educational opportunities and my dreams due to the lack of access for students who do not hold legal status in the country.

To millions of people the word “immigrant” is one that is synonymous with “aliens” and “criminals.” To me, immigration is an issue of family, opportunity, and hope. In one word, the issue of immigration is me.

By Janett Chávarry García

PERU: I can still remember that afternoon. I was studying with two partners for a university exam.

We watched on TV that our questionable President, Alberto Fujimori, had left Perú and delivered his resignation by fax.

I thought, “He never will come back.”

Yet after seven years, Fujimori, who fled Peru and during the past ten years has lived in Japan and Chile while being accused of hard crimes, was finally extradited last September.

By Carolina Velez

COLOMBIA: Living in Medellin, Colombia is a privilege, even though some people just don't see it like that. But this city is so pretty, so full of colour and the city’s life sticks to its inhabitants’ memory and makes us fall in love with it over and over again.

By Maricella Garcia

USA: A little more than a year ago, I was minding my own business happily ensconced in my position as executive director of Lita’s House, a program whose mission is to help Latino families in Little Rock, Arkansas keep kids in school and gain higher education.

I had started Lita’s House because I felt very passionate about improving educational outcomes for our community. Less than 60% of Latinos graduate from high school and only about 12% go to college and gain their bachelor’s degree.

In Little Rock, Latinos make up less than 1% of the local university’s population. For me this was a critical issue that needed to be addressed, and I felt that I could help others see the importance of education, but also work through the process which can be very daunting for a student who has never done it before.

You might ask why I felt compelled to step into an issue that doesn’t directly affect me; after all I don’t have any children.

For me, it was a necessity to give back the blessings that I have been given. I am the product of the fulfillment of the American Dream.

By Mayra Beltrán de Daetz

GUATEMALA: In Guatemala, life beats to a different rhythm than the United States.