“Thanks to the Odyssey Scholarship, I have been able to travel around the world representing UChicago and partake in prestigious discussions and lectures.”
Have you selected a course of study? Are there any professors whose classes have changed or challenged you?
I am studying political science and public policy. I chose these two majors because I think it is important to get both a qualitative and quantitative
understanding of the world around us and how we interact within it. One professor who definitely made my understanding of the world deeper is Sorcha Brophy. Her class on Policy Implementation led me to understand that even if you craft great policy, that does not always mean it will have great results. Applying that understanding to different facets of society allows me to see that even if humans have the best intentions, things do not always work out how we want them to.
What activities are you involved with outside the classroom? Have you held any leadership roles in your extracurricular activities?
I have an on-campus job at the Office of Career Advancement, where I work with the Career Coordinator and the Employer Relations team. This occupies the largest chunk of time outside of my courses and course-related work. I am grateful for the opportunity to work in the Office of Career Advancement because it has given me many professional connections as well as given me the chance to represent the College abroad in Chile, Switzerland, and soon, Japan. Last year, I was the finance chair for the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS), which allowed me to develop professional skills as well as develop a greater understanding of the diversity on-campus.
What is your favorite UChicago memory or proudest achievement thus far?
I am currently abroad in Vienna for the Dr. Ferdinand Stern Civilizations program. Thus far, I have made some incredible memories, both within and outside of the program. I am grateful for the opportunity to be abroad and have a transformative life experience. I will also be studying abroad during the Spring quarter as part of the Barcelona Public Policy program, where I will be able to take a sequence of courses that are directly related to one of my majors. These experiences abroad would not have been possible without the support of the Odyssey Program!
If you could speak directly to the person whose gift supported your scholarship, what would you say?
Thank you so much. As a first-generation student with a single mother and low family income, it has been a difficult journey for me to get here. Your support has opened a door for me to thrive. While it has been up to me to make the leap through the door, my experiences at UChicago have helped me continue to learn and mature, becoming ever more successful. Thanks to the Odyssey Scholarship, I have been able to travel around the world representing UChicago and partake in prestigious discussions and lectures. None of these opportunities would have been possible without your support. For that, I thank you—and I know my mother would like to express her thanks as well.
