Hello! My name is Laia, I’m a senior at Stanford and I’d love to share my experiences here with you. IMPORTANT: I am not available from March 18-April 1 as I will be off-campus for break! - I’ve been heavily involved with on-campus research ranging from marine science to global health, and can tell you all about how to get involved with research as an undergrad. - I’m also an avid maker, and am a frequent user of every available maker-space on campus. I work with 3D printing, wood, metal casting, textiles, and electronics, having learned everything I know right here on campus. Stanford’s maker-spaces are truly world-class, and I would love to show you all the possibilities for you here. - As a low-income international student, I can tell you all about navigating on-campus employment and building financial stability in college. - I’ve also been involved with student arts fellowships and the co-op housing system.

Hometown

Toronto, Canada

Major(s)

Earth Systems

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Volunteer at Framework (teaching arts and tech classes to incarcerated kids), fellow at the Institute for Diversity in the Arts (paid student artist fellowship)

Describe your college experience

College has allowed me to meet some of the dearest people in my life right now, and has given me wonderful memories. I’ve also been able to take advantage of all the resources here in the arts and in fabrication, which has allowed me to create artworks that have been exhibited around the world - all thanks to the skills I learned here. Academically, I came into college with the idea that I wanted to pursue global health, but was super open to trying new things. After trying out a lot of different labs, I learned that I enjoyed data science and maps, which shifted my trajectory to earth science.

Tip for future students

Be open to trying new things! There are resources here that you will likely never be able to access again after you graduate, so try everything. Whether that’s doing a study abroad, learning metal-working, or trying an entirely different research field, you never know - maybe you’ll love it.

Favorite class

Worldbuilding, an interdisciplinary art class that combined coding, electronics, sculpture, and video art.

Career goals

Research in geospatial science and conservation!

Ideal way to spend a free night

Either go on a drive to the beach or work on a creative project

High school or secondary school

University of Toronto Schools, Toronto, Canada