Hallo, ich heiße Jonathan Xique Hernandez, but you can just call me Jonathan. I am a 19-year-old sophomore at Lawrence University. I am from Brooklyn, New York, and I love spending time outdoors, especially in urban garden spaces such as the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where I often visit the environmental domes.
I chose Lawrence University because it offered strong opportunities for local community engagement, including hosting an environmental series at the city’s public library. I am double-majoring in Government and Environmental Science, with a focus on urban greenery and how it supports community engagement and well-being.
Over the past few summers, I have gained hands-on experience in environmental fieldwork. In summer 2024, I interned at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where I helped increase student engagement with the environment through shared gardening experiences. In 2025, I worked with Milwaukee Riverkeeper to improve communication about plastic waste, and most recently, I worked with Conservation Colorado to address heat-related challenges in urban communities.
I am excited to share more about my journey as I now learn how countries across Europe are responding to environmental issues on the continent.
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 visiting www.gilmanscholarship.org.
