Hi! I’m Natalia, a second year Global Health major considering adding a math minor. I’m fluent in Spanish and I’d love to practice it through a bilingual tour! I moved 8 hours from home, not having a clue what to study or if I would like it here, but slowly UCSD has given me opportunities to discover what I love. On any given day, you’ll probably find me at the gym, studying with a few too many iced coffees, volunteering for various organizations, or heading off campus for side quests and sweet treats with my friends. San Diego has become my second home and I’m so excited to show you guys what this school has to offer. I’ll reveal all the secret study spots, tips that have helped me get through hard classes, and tell you which dining halls are worth your time. I promise to give you an honest insight into life at UCSD so you can make the choice that’s best for you. Come with any and all questions – I’m here to help get doubts out of your mind!

Hometown

Elk Grove, California

Major(s)

Global Health (B.S.)

Clubs, organizations & involvement

1. The Reclamation Project - San Diego Co-Lead State-wide non-profit organization for grassroots social justice aimed at supporting historically and systemically marginalized communities and youth. I establish and launch local community-serving events while building community connections by cold emailing and networking. 2. CalPIRG - Volunteer Student public interest activism group working to protect the environment, provide hunger relief, and promote civic engagement. I've helped redistributed 300+ food, hygiene, and household items from students to homeless shelters in the past year. 3. Salsa Society UCSD - Member Student-run club teaching free weekly classes for salsa and bachata. Through this club, I've made great friends and built a stronger connection to my heritage by learning the traditional styles of dance.

Describe your college experience

Transitioning to college was a terrifying prospect for senior-year me. I’ve never had a clear dream school or dream career, so choosing which university was right for me took time. It wasn’t until I visited the campus that I fell in love with UCSD. Moving 8 hours away from home was difficult and I felt homesick at first, but little by little I found my own community and turned San Diego into my second home. I have made some of the best friends I’ve ever had, discovered new passions, explored the city, and slowly but surely gained confidence in my ability to be independent. However, I have also struggled with adjusting to the pace of a quarter system, balancing academic and social lives, and prioritizing health while living alone for the first time. My community both in San Diego and my hometown have carried me through the ups and downs of navigating young adulthood. My experience may not be the stereotypical college experience, but I’ve joined new clubs, gone out on weekends, pulled all-nighters at the library, discovered cute thrifting spots, took advantage of chemistry tutoring, and watched the sunset at the beach with friends. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything and I’m eager to go into my second year carrying what I’ve learned so far.

Tip for future students

1. During move-in, bring the necessities and wait until you’re settled in to decide what other miscellaneous gadgets you need. Avoiding unnecessary purchases will save you money. 2. Find a way that works for you to put yourself out there socially. Whether it’s being a social butterfly around the dorms, joining new clubs, or getting involved in Greek life, finding a way to make meaningful friendships can make or break your experience. 3. Don’t disregard your physical and emotional health. College can be an overwhelming and busy time, but making time for the gym or a therapy session will make a huge difference in all aspects of your life. 4. Go to your professor’s office hours, but if that’s too intimidating, start with your TA’s office hours. Asking questions is never embarrassing and the career advice you could gain is invaluable. 5. Call your parents, call your siblings, call your hometown friends. Being in an unknown environment doesn’t mean you’re ever alone.

Favorite class

My favorite class has been Dimensions of Culture: Imagination. In this class, we took the learning of social justice writers like Angela Davis or Ronald Takaki and applied their teachings to injustices we witnessed in our own everyday lives. I looked into language equity, especially how normalized English-only monolingualism affects first generation college students. Through the research process, I learned histories that I never would've known existed and opened my eyes to simple ways that I and other bilingual students can support our communities.

Career goals

After getting my Bachelor’s degree in Global Health, I hope to pursue a Masters in Biostatistics in order to combine my love for public service and math. My dream is to become a Biostatistician for a public health NGO. I’m very passionate about immigrant and refugee health so I would love to work in that field, but I am open to seeing where my career takes me.

Ideal way to spend a free night

An ideal free night to me sounds like getting froyo after class to celebrate being done with the assignments and stress of the week. Then, meeting up with my friends to walk around La Jolla shores, exploring all the little shops. We would watch the sunset at the beach while debriefing the week then head back to school and have fun singing our hearts out at the karaoke rooms in the Price Center. Lastly, I would have my friends over at my dorm for a rom-com movie night and sleepover.

High school or secondary school

Cosumnes Oaks High School

Favorite spot on campus

It’s difficult to choose just one spot on campus, but I really love taking the bus down to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography part of campus and studying at Pinpoint Café. It has a beautiful view to the beach, tasty coffees for a caffeine boost, and cute outdoor seating. Although it gets busy during weekends, most weekday mornings I easily find an open table. Studying outside reminds me why I chose to go to school in San Diego and puts me in a better mood.