Luis David Suarez

My name is Luis David Suarez Cabrera, and I am a first-year pre-law Business Administration and Public Policy student at the University of California, Berkeley. I was born and raised in Ecuador until the age of 12. Ecuador is a beautiful country that has seen many social, economic, and political problems throughout its history. Seeing the misuse of government power and resources was personal, especially when business regulations constantly burdened my family’s shop, preventing it from thriving while larger chains enjoyed more economic freedom. Now, as an immigrant in the United States, I can see some of the social inequalities that still exist in this country, but I want to do something to better this place that I am blessed to call my home.

Starting from zero in a new country with a different language and culture has been difficult and often discouraging, but I have learned to persevere through hardship. For example, I worked hard to learn English, and it was a rewarding experience to become a translator in my community because I was able to bridge the language barrier at the restaurant I worked at, the school where I studied, and at other local institutions in need of translation services.

Currently, I am expanding my experience in service by working at the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC), where I can directly benefit UC Berkeley’s students through policy, senate resolutions, event planning, and securing funding for cultural spaces.

I am blessed to be in the Bay Area. I want to use my education and passion for service to advocate for marginalized and underrepresented communities such as the Hispanic, low-income, and immigrant communities that I am proudly a part of, and spark positive change. I am eager to learn how to serve my community effectively.