From Homeless Teen to Double Major College Student: Meet Courageous Change-Maker, Maya Ploi Blasi
Meet Maya Ploi Blasi, a 2025 GlobalMindED student at the University of Colorado Denver, whose story of overcoming homelessness to pursue two degrees is nothing short of extraordinary. Like so many GlobalMindED students and graduates, her determination, perseverance and grit show the rest of us how to be our best.
Tell us about your journey.
I was born and raised in Hana, Maui, until I left for college in 2022. I was homeless from age 14 to 16, where I lived with no running water or electricity. I spent several years under foster care until I was old enough to emancipate myself from the state at 18 years old.
My foster family was amazing and gave me the first sense of physical and emotional stability where I was able to thrive and learn more about myself and the person I wanted to be. I always knew college would be my escape. I knew I was leaving. I knew I had to find my own funding, as I was an independent student and would not be receiving any support from my biological parents.
I've been working full-time since beginning my freshman year, and I applied for as many scholarships as I could, along with receiving the full Pell Grant. I am extremely proud and grateful to say that I am debt-free and going into my senior year of my undergrad with two degrees: with a BS in Music Recording Arts, and a BA in International Studies with a minor in Economics and certificate in Global Communication. I have plans to pursue my masters and potentially law school. My goal is to impact small and underrepresented communities domestically and diplomatically, and offer different creative mediums to portray different stories around the world.
What pivotal experiences shaped your current path?
Being homeless for about three years was probably the most traumatic thing to happen to me. It really altered my humility and sense of empathy. However seeing my mom's mental health struggles and reaping the impacts of her undocumented status has additionally caused great responsibilities on my part to provide for the two of us financially.
Foster care helped a lot to provide the younger me with the toolset to succeed and thrive in my current state. My parents and case worker Michaela Espino really pushed me and supported me in my ambitions and emotions going into college, and currently as I finish my degrees and minor. My life from six until 18 really impacted various versions of myself that I am still learning to heal and negotiate with. I have great supporters from my community and family that allow me to succeed going further.
What drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
I feel that because I've experienced such intense living standard—such as lack of running water, a working bathroom, and a safe place to live, on top of abuse—that I really want to protect other children and youth from living those experiences, and even more so, offer them the opportunity to change their previous situations and heal the various parts of them.
I believe education and financial support can change someone's life and socioeconomic status. Being poor is extremely hard to cope with as a young person, and without the proper support and inspirations in your life, it's extremely hard to find that light at the end of the tunnel. I want to better humanity and create a healthy standard for living and health. Everyone should have access to food, health, housing, and education.
Beyond your own journey, what are your hopes for your community, generation, or people?
I hope that other people who have experienced similar or worse experiences can be granted opportunities to better their circumstances and be given the proper care they need. I believe the best recipe for development is education and health. Mental health and understanding the multitude of our identities and coping with traumas are extremely important for not only our current societies, but to ensure that future generations aren't born under conditions that don't take care of them. I want all children to be loved and taken care of in a way that sees them and hears them, to better their lives.
What role has GlobalMindED played in your personal, academic, or professional journey?
GlobalMindED has offered me a lot of insight as to the potential career opportunities I can pursue after my undergrad. Additionally, since attending the conference, I have a new desire to pursue a law degree. I'm still speculating, but regardless I know where I want my voice to be, and I just hope I'll get the opportunity to do so, in whatever way is best for me throughout my journey.
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