Edwin Castillo

Hi! My name is Edwin Castillo, and I’m a fourth-year Sociology major pursuing an Applied Psychology
minor here at UCSB. I was born and raised in Porterville, California, a small town in the Central Valley,
and I’m a first-generation college student as both of my parents are from Mexico. My long-term goal is to
earn my Master’s degree and become a high school or college counselor.

My Hobbies:
- Watching and playing Basketball
- Video Games
- Watching Anime/TV Shows
- Spending time with family and friends
- Going to the gym

Involvement in the UCSB Community:
- Yardi EJ Peer Mentor
- PROPEL Peer Mentor
- Mission Scholars Intern and Student Panelist
- Promise Scholar
- PROPEL Scholar
- Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

Favorite Memory
If you had told me a year ago that I would be studying abroad, I probably would have called you crazy.
I’ve always been someone who doesn’t like change, I prefer familiarity and structure. However, after
being encouraged by Gabby, I decided to take a leap of faith and study abroad in Barcelona, Spain for six

weeks during the summer, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. During my
time abroad, I had the opportunity to travel throughout Spain, visit Paris, and spend a week in London
after my program had ended. It was my first time traveling outside of the United States, and the
experience completely changed my perspective on life. More than anything, I learned to embrace the
unknown, live in the moment, and appreciate things day by day. I also met such amazing people and
formed strong friendships with students from other UC campuses, which has been one of the most
meaningful parts of the experience because I never imagined I’d have friends across California that I can
now visit and tour their respective campuses. If it weren’t for UCSB and the opportunities it has provided
me, I never would have imagined visiting 3 different countries before the age of 21.

Advice for You:
One thing I wish someone told me before going to UCSB was how hard Imposter Syndrome was going to
hit me. When I first arrived, I felt like I didn’t belong, that I wasn’t smart enough to contribute in
lecture/section, and much more. However, I want to remind all of you that UCSB accepted you for a
reason, and that’s because they believe you are talented enough to become a great and contributing
member of society. They see something in you that you need to see in yourself. You are all amazing and
incredibly smart individuals. If people doubt you, use it as fuel. Have that chip on your shoulder, it took
me to where I am today.

Here is a quote to remember: “Yes, there are mountains ahead, and there are mountains behind, too. You
have already come so far, courage and grace has already been finding you... - Morgan Harper Nichols

What am I looking Forward To
As I begin my final year at UCSB, I’m excited to run it back one more year as a Peer Mentor for the Yardi
EJ Scholars Program. The students in this program are truly amazing, and I can’t wait to watch them grow

throughout the year while supporting them in any way that I can. Being a mentor has become one of the
most meaningful parts of my college experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue giving
back to the community that has given so much to me. After studying abroad, I’ve also gained a new
perspective on embracing new experiences, and I want to spend more time exploring Santa Barbara and
the surrounding areas in ways I didn’t fully appreciate before. Finally, I’m looking forward to continuing
my professional development by continuing my involvement with Mission Scholars and hopefully
becoming involved in undergraduate research.