Ashley Lozano
Ashley Lozano is a Mexican-American second-year pharmacy graduate student. She is the very first person to go to college out of all her siblings and extended family. She is a Spanish speaker and takes pride in being able to serve the Spanish-speaking community at the University of Minnesota.
“Growing up, my parents were always saying things like school is important because that’s something that no one can take away from you. You want a better life than we have. I saw my parents and so many other people in my family who have always struggled with money. Growing up in Woodbury, a lot of my friends didn’t experience that. Going to school is very important for me because I didn’t want to have to live the way my parents did.
It means having to work harder than other people who aren’t first-generation to get to the same positions, especially because when I was applying to undergrad, I was pretty much all alone. I had to rely on my counselors and stuff. I didn’t really have anyone who I could really turn to for help.
It’s definitely a lot of pressure because of my family. I know that they are expecting a lot out of me. It almost makes me feel proud and I’m doing this to honor them, especially with my grandparents, because I know it was my grandma’s dream to go to nursing school.
This past weekend, I was at work and pretty much 90% of my patients were all Spanish-speaking patients. I work in the emergency room and help patients see what medications they’re taking and clean up their med list so the doctor can order the correct meds. So I was able to help do that instead of waiting for the interpreter, and help them feel comfortable and get their questions answered and everything.
I’ve had patients who have said things to me like, ‘Oh, mija, I’m so glad you’re here, thank you so much.’ And I’ve helped patients who remind me a lot of my family members, especially my grandma and grandpa. There was one time I did actually see one of my elementary school teachers who also speaks Spanish, so that was really nice.
It was actually my birthday over the weekend. It was really nice to be able to spend my birthday that way because it felt really rewarding, it almost felt like my grandparents were there and like guiding me through all this. I really love it, being able to give back to my community.”
This interview was editing for length and clarity.
Interview by Gabrielle Erenstein.