Fall 2025 Winner of the Out-of-State Student Scholarship

Giselle Sarai Garcia

Giselle intentionally chose to attend an out-of-state school so that she could push herself to grow as an individual. She has found ways to be involved, balance her social life, and focus on her studies. Each experience has given her confidence and encouraged her to overcome challenges. Congratulations, Giselle!

Read Her Essay:

Coming to Marquette as an out-of-state student led to many unexpected challenges and a new chapter of my life. Leaving the familiarity of my family pushed me to start from scratch by creating my own identity, building new friendships, and finding my place in a new environment. The first few weeks without my family felt lonely, especially as I learned to balance being independent with the responsibility of managing my academics, mental health, and social life. Looking back, my first year of college helped me grow as a person. It challenged me to be independent, navigate different personalities, and advocate for myself. Despite these struggles, they were the very reason I came to Marquette as I knew this school would push me beyond my limits.

One of the biggest adjustments I had to make was balancing multiple aspects of my life at once. This included prioritizing my mental health and making time to stay active. I continued to play volleyball, a sport I've enjoyed the past seven years by joining intramural and adult leagues in Milwaukee. I also tried to keep a gym routine and tried new fitness classes, something I hope to continue to keep building confidence in this year.

Though I am organized, college scheduling is completely different. I signed up for academic coaching to get the help I needed academically and continued with monthly calls with my therapist to establish skills to manage my anxiety and stress. This support helped me control my time and manage my stress level.

I also had to balance my social life. I wanted to go to Marquette rather than be in-state because I wanted to break away from my hometown and make my own path. Leaving the state felt like ripping the band aid that protected me from exploring a new city and meeting new people. This was challenging. Sometimes I met people that were temporary or took advantage of my willingness to collaborate or study together. I was also placed randomly into a quad, a memorable experience, as each girl came from different backgrounds. While there were moments of tension, I leaned into those challenges to better understand different perspectives, strengthen my patience, and learn how to set boundaries. Skills I plan to carry with me with my new roommate this year.

As my confidence grew, I knew I had to build deeper connections. I joined clubs that allowed me to give back through Best Buddies, connect with my Hispanic Heritage through LASO, and engaged with students aspiring to enter the medical field. These experiences helped me learn to advocate and establish balance in my life. As a latina aspiring to be a doctor with limited financial resources, I know my journey has only begun.

Despite the many ups and downs of being an out-of-state student, I have no regrets. I learned I am a lot stronger than I believed I was and have what it takes to overcome more challenges.