Oi! My name is Diego Félix-Trejo. I’m from Holland, Michigan—a small lakeside city known for its beautiful tulip festival in the spring.
In my free time, I enjoy going on walks, learning new songs on the guitar, baking, and hanging out with my friends.
I’m the oldest brother out of three siblings. Being the oldest has taught me to be vigilant of others around me and to aid others in times of need. Initially, I thought I wanted to be a physician or a lawyer, but I later discovered that what I truly valued was making an impact. It was better to work with communities, as opposed to one-on-one, which is what drew me to studying public policy.
Throughout my time at the University of Michigan, I’ve worked with many student groups, leading to invaluable experiences where I learned about different cultures from across the world. Because both of my parents are Mexican, I grew up speaking Spanish, and it has been an incredible asset when connecting with people. There's no better satisfaction than learning about cultural similarities and celebrating our differences!
I aim to use my public policy studies to support communities in Latin America and in the US, which is why I chose to minor in International Studies. While much of Latin America speaks Spanish, one major player uses Portuguese—and that country is Brazil!
I’m incredibly fortunate to have received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship! I hope you join me throughout my journey in Brazil, where I will be practicing Portuguese and learning about Brazilian culture and history.
Vai Azul! - Go Blue!
Want to know more about how you can study or intern abroad when you are a college student? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the scholarship by clicking here!
