I joined the 1stGen@Iowa Mentor Network because fostering inclusivity, accessibility, and equity for a diverse student body is crucial in higher education. Supporting first-generation students is an important part of this effort. I believe that individuals with different experiences and backgrounds bring valuable perspectives that ignite new ideas and make significant contributions to academia, research, and society as a whole. Growing up in the Philippines, I never imagined where I would be today. Education has opened many doors for me, and I hope it can do the same for others. As a woman, a BIPOC, a former international student, and a speaker of English as a third language, I understand (some of) the challenges of navigating the U.S. academic system. Many conventions and expectations are not clearly communicated or explicitly explained, which can sometimes make you feel that the space was never meant for you and that you don’t belong. Please feel free to email me if you resonate with any of my experiences or share similar identities. Even if you don’t, I would still love to connect with you. Engaging with diverse perspectives helps me grow and learn about perspectives I may not have considered before. I view mentorship as a reciprocal relationship where both the mentee and mentor can grow. In terms of my discipline and research, I am a linguist studying how we learn languages, whether as children or adults. Besides English, I speak Japanese and Tagalog. Feel free to reach out to me if you are interested in languages and linguistics. You can learn more about my research and background at https://nozomitanaka.com.