Hi! I’m Emilia, a sophomore Animal Science major on the pre med track who moved here from Ecuador when I was 11 and had a hard time finding people with similar backgrounds until I got here to Rutgers. I’ve had a great experience getting to know people from all parts of the world and I love to spend my time getting to meet and talking to people.

Hometown

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Major(s)

Animal Science

Clubs, organizations & involvement

I’ve been part of University Choir since my freshman year and am now their current secretary. I was also part of Companion Animal Club and participated in a few of Bachata Club and the Rutgers Ecuadorian Association events a few times

Describe your college experience

I had a great experience since the beginning of my freshmen year. I was lucky enough to come in already knowing people from my high school that I am still friends with but I’ve also had the opportunity to meet a lot of new people thanks to clubs like University Choir, Orientation, and Companion Animal Club. I took Gen Psych my first semester and had a professor that was super supportive and really helped to ease my transition into college with the time he spent talking to us especially during his office hours. I also had really great TAs for my Gen Bio recitations that really tried making it easier to understand different topics we were taught and were super helpful to me. I also had the chance to participate in a few events by the Bachata Club so being able to still get to experience my culture while here really helped to ease my transition here by getting to spend time with people of similar backgrounds.

Tip for future students

I know it’s common advice but trying out any club that may interest you. I was first really scared of auditioning for University Choir since I have a fear of singing in public but after my friends encouraged me and I’ve joined I’ve had the chance to meet many great people and meet friends that I still spend time with now. Freshmen should be open to try out new things even if it’s scary to them because they never know what opportunities this may bring them.

Favorite class

General Psychology because it really offered a deeper insight into why people may do the things they do or the history of how psychologists developed different theories to try and understand how we work.

Career goals

I’d like to apply to medical school and to hopefully one day become an OB​/​GYN since I am very passionate about women’s health

Ideal way to spend a free night

I love hanging out with my friends and either watching a movie at their dorm, playing board games, or tossing a ball around with them outside. I sometimes also like drawing, specifically animals, although I have been trying to improve my skills on drawing people realistically.

High school or secondary school

Morris County School of Technology

Favorite spot on campus

I really like the passion puddle during early fall semester and late spring. It tends to be a very peaceful place for me to sit there and be with my thoughts while also getting to enjoy watching the turtles in the puddle. I also really like Shindell Hall because I like working there with all the lighting the building provides and overhearing people talk about music and singing. This year I’ve been spending a lot of time in the courtyard inside the Bishop Quads as well since it’s been a good spot to just chat with friends or pass a ball around in the evenings.