Being Tina's Big Sister has had a huge impact on me. Since we have been matched, I've watched Tina become more and more confident. This is true in the new things she tries and in her new attitude about school.
 
I've learned  a lot about her life and her family's culture, both pretty different from mine when I was her age. I'm hoping to pick up some more Spanish from Tina (who is amazing with languages), and I think I have gained more appreciation of how lucky I have been in my own life.
 
It has taken some time, but now I think Tina is doing better in school than she ever has before. She certainly is beginning to understand how important it is for her to do well. And since she is smart and full of curiosity, I only see her academic performance improving. I look forward to the day when I sit with Tina's family and watch her graduate from high school. And after that, there's no telling what she'll do. Right now, she's between a marine biologist and an astronomer. Either way, I see great things ahead!   

  
Tina and I have had some great experiences since we've been matched. We've gone snorkeling several times and Tina worked on the snorkel boat as a 'guest first mate' in my place when I broke my toe one day. She has also come out with me and helped with biological fieldwork that I was doing for my dissertation. We were setting traps (at the surface of the water) over the coral reefs in order to catch fish larvae. She's definitely taken a big interest in science since we've met.   

  
Finally, it's been really interesting to be exposed to the mind of a 13-year-old on a friend level; this is a much different experience than interacting with a 13-year-old as an authority figure. When I finish graduate school, I would like to be a middle school or high school science teacher, and I think that a lot of my lessons will be impacted by what I have learned from Tina.
 
 
Most importantly, I have made a friend that I will have in my life for many years to come. When Tina and I are hanging out, I think I spend at least half of our time together laughing and smiling (Tina is hilarious and loves an audience). Thank you Big Brothers Big Sisters for introducing me to someone so special.
 
A Very Proud Big Sister, 
Katie