Born and raised in Seneca, SC, to two Clemson graduates, I had always thought I would go far from home for college. However, during my senior year of high school, I discovered Clemson’s Language & International Health degree, and all of my plans changed. Spanish was my favorite subject in high school, partly because of my incredible Spanish teacher from Ecuador. She taught me so much about the language and other cultures, and I immediately knew that I wanted to continue learning this language so that one day I could come back home and speak with her, but this time, in her native language. Not only that, but I had always had an interest in the health sciences and helping people, so this degree felt like the perfect opportunity to combine both of my passions into one. And that is how I came to be the newest (future) Clemson graduate in my family.  

 

After my first year at Clemson, I knew that I wanted to study abroad in Spain, but what I hadn’t known was that I would be able to do it twice and have an amazing, educational, and immersive experience both times. After sophomore year, I completed a summer immersion program in Salamanca, Spain, for 6 weeks, and that is when I realized that not only could I learn a new language, but that I could actually put it to use and communicate with new people and learn about different cultures in so many wonderful places. That study abroad experience gave me the best introduction to what a semester in Spain would be like and really helped build my confidence. Flash forward to the spring of 2025, when I studied abroad in Seville, Spain, for 4 months and completed an internship in the youth department of the Spanish Red Cross. This internship gave me invaluable experience and insight into health promotion and non-profit administration. These study abroad experiences have been some of the most significant learning opportunities of my life, not only in terms of language or cultural awareness skills, but also in terms of learning more about myself and my personal values of ambition, community, and empathy.  

 

My experiences from the past four years at Clemson have not only led me to some of the most amazing people and experiences and taught me so many incredible life lessons, but have also shown me where my passions truly lie. Professionally, I would love to build a career in the human resources field, working for a company that prioritizes employee growth and well-being, with the end goal of being in the corporate health & wellness space. My coursework at Clemson has taught me so much about the health sciences and the importance of population health, a sentiment that should also be shared within the corporate world. I want to help create inclusive, supportive workplaces that encourage professional and personal development and contribute to healthy, balanced lifestyles for everyone. This, combined with my skills of organization, time management, teamwork, and the cultural humility I have gained throughout my studies, is what makes me confident that I will be an asset in this field of work, and I am excited to see where my next steps take me.