After 5 years, I’ve finally graduated from the University of Maryland!
I’ve earned Bachelor’s of Science degrees in computer science and mechanical engineering, as well as an honors college citation for my research on electric vehicles for the Gemstone Program and a minor in innovation and entrepreneurship from the Smith School of Business. Somehow I managed to finish it all with a 3.95 GPA.
I studied abroad in Madrid, took a semester off to work as an engineer for MPR Associates, joined Kappa Theta Pi – Professional Technology Fraternity, and was a Teaching Assistant in the Smith School and Clark School. I was a Smith Minors Ambassador, member of Omicron Delta Kappa, and President of Celtic Grace Irish Dance Troupe, among other clubs and projects.
It wasn’t a straightforward path to get here. I started out as a bioengineer in August 2017, and by the end of the semester I took my chances on switching to mechanical engineering. In Fall 2019 I decided to pursue a minor in computer science, and it wasn’t until January 2021 that I was admitted to the major.
I also had to navigate the pandemic throughout the second half of college, which unlike most actually made it easier for me to complete my work. Being visually impaired, it meant that professors were finally forced to make their classes more accessible to me. Unfortunately, however, it meant that I had to come home less than halfway through my study abroad experience. I made a lot of sacrifices to prioritize studying abroad, including going to the University of Maryland in the first place, commuting despite being on a full scholarship, and saving every dollar I could to spend in Spain. Not only was I supposed to finish my studies in Spain, but I had been accepted into a summer program in Japan to study electric vehicles for the summer.
Even though my study abroad was cut short, it confirmed to me how much I enjoy traveling and that I could do it solo if I wanted. It also showed me that no matter how much we plan and prepare, nothing is guaranteed. In Summer 2021, I was able to have a do-over on study abroad when I took summer classes online while traveling through Eastern Europe.
Even though it was difficult, I am grateful for all of the challenges I have faced and overcome in the past 5 years. I’m excited to continue my travels this summer, starting in Bogotá, Colombia. When I return to the US in September, I’ll start work as a Software Development Engineer for Amazon in San Diego.