I recently had the chance to sit down with my friend Jennifer to talk about her experience at Hopkins. Like me, she’s a member of the Class of 2026, and we met through the Catholic Community at Hopkins during my first year. Since we’re both from Texas, we instantly clicked and have been close friends ever since. She’s had some truly unique experiences during her time here, and I knew her story was one worth sharing—so read on to learn more about Jennifer’s journey at Hopkins!
As a first-generation college student, what has your experience at Hopkins been like?
I reflect often and thank God for the opportunity to be part of this community. It’s beautiful to see that you can accomplish things in life, and it’s especially meaningful to feel supported by my other first-generation friends.
I really appreciate how Hopkins creates events specifically for first-generation students—I think that’s something truly special. I’m very grateful to Hopkins for providing these opportunities. The university makes a point to celebrate first-generation students and offers additional support and resources. For example, programs like the FLI Network and other similar opportunities have made a real difference in helping us feel recognized and supported.
What are some of your favorite things you’ve gotten involved in since coming to Hopkins?
One of my favorite things I’ve gotten involved in at Hopkins is TEDxJHU. I started on the design team, and I’m now the Design Director, which has been incredibly rewarding. I love being able to communicate ideas, create meaningful designs, and build something fun and impactful alongside my team.
I’m also very involved in the Catholic Community at Hopkins, which has been especially meaningful to me. It’s beautiful to gather as a group, support one another, pray together as brothers and sisters, and learn more about Christ. We also create events and find ways to make college life both joyful and grounded, which I really value.
Another organization I’m involved in is the Medicine, Science, and the Humanities Student Advisory Council, and that experience has been really special as well. Through the council, we offer mentorship to students in our major, organize field trips, and plan the merch for the major. Being part of an organization that’s focused specifically on supporting students in my major has been fulfilling, and it’s something I truly enjoy.
How have you stayed connected to your faith and community while being here?
Staying connected to my faith and community started as soon as I moved in at Hopkins. Early on, I went to church and decided to join the Catholic Community at Hopkins. It’s a group that meets during the week for things like Sunday dinners, Mass & Pizza Fridays, Newman Nights, and other events.
Through the Catholic Community at Hopkins, I met some of my closest friends. I also met first-gen students like me who were nervous about being on campus for the first time. We were all different in our own ways, but really similar at the same time. The support I’ve received from this community has been incredible. Being part of this group gave me a sense of belonging and stability during some of the most challenging moments of college. I truly don’t think I would be graduating without my faith and the Catholic community I found here at Hopkins.
What was the process of changing majors like for you, and how did you decide what you wanted to major in?
The process of changing majors ended up being fairly straightforward for me because I knew early on that I didn’t want to be pre-med. I knew my path was leading more toward becoming a physician assistant (PA), so I started re-evaluating whether my original academic choices made sense for that goal. I was originally double majoring in Public Health Studies and Molecular and Cellular Biology, but I realized that Molecular and Cellular Biology wasn’t necessary for a pre-PA track, especially since it required courses like physics and organic chemistry, which I didn’t need.
I met with my advisor and shared that my goal was to become a PA. They helped me understand that Molecular and Cellular Biology tends to align more closely with pre-med students. We had a long, in-depth conversation, and the process of changing my major was actually very simple, which I appreciated. Hopkins makes it easy to explore different academic paths without feeling stuck.
After that, I took a few neuroscience classes to see if that might be a better fit, but I quickly realized it wasn’t something I was passionate about. That helped clarify what I didn’t want, which was just as important.
I ultimately chose to major in Medicine, Science, and the Humanities (MSH) alongside Public Health Studies because I knew I would always love medicine, but I was especially interested in how medicine connects to the humanities. I really fell in love with the major after taking a bioethics class, where we discussed medicine, the value of the body, and philosophical questions surrounding healthcare. That class showed me a side of medicine I hadn’t experienced before, and it helped me realize that medicine could be engaging and meaningful in ways I hadn’t initially imagined.
What’s your favorite class you’ve taken and why?
My favorite class I’ve taken at Hopkins is Medicine, Science, and the Humanities Research Capstone. I loved the class because it allowed me to explore medical research while also building a close relationship with my professor. Because of that experience, I was offered a research position that I’m currently working in, which has been incredibly meaningful for me.
The class was small, which helped me stay focused and feel more comfortable participating. It involved a lot of reading, writing, and discussion, and it really pushed me to think critically. We studied topics like bioethics, American literature, culture, and society, all through the lens of medicine and healthcare.
As part of the course, I focused my research on women’s health, specifically examining bioethical issues related to reproductive justice and medical decision-making within Latin American and Latino communities in the United States. The course is designed to prepare medicine, science, and the humanities juniors for conducting extended research and potentially graduating with honors, so it helped me develop strong research and writing skills.
What I loved most was that the class helped me better understand how medicine intersects with real-world social and ethical issues. It challenged me to think deeply about current events and the lived experiences of patients, and it showed me how meaningful and impactful medical humanities research can be.
What’s something you’re looking forward to after graduation, or a lesson you’ll take with you from Hopkins?
After graduation, I’m really looking forward to taking some time for myself. That means traveling, doing fun things with my family, and enjoying time with the people I love before starting my next chapter. I know PA school will be intense, so I plan to work, recharge, and make memories with friends and family while I can. I’m especially excited to travel this year. I’m planning a trip to Colorado, and I’ll likely be visiting London as well.
One of the most important lessons I’ll take with me from Hopkins is the value of patience. Before coming here, patience was something I often overlooked or took for granted. Hopkins taught me that growth doesn’t always happen on a fixed timeline. Right now, I’m learning to be patient as I take the steps I need to prepare for PA school. I’ve learned that everyone’s journey looks different, and it’s important to focus on your own path. Taking care of myself, feeling proud of how far I’ve come, and trusting my journey are lessons I’ll carry with me long after graduation.
