Hola! My name is Mehrnaz Bastani. I am currently a student at UCLA studying Statistics and Data Science with minors in Public Health and Digital Humanities. That means I use computers and math to find patterns and answer questions about the world. I love working with numbers, solving puzzles, and finding patterns that can help people.
I was born in Iran. When I was very young, my family moved to the United States. Growing up, I loved learning about different cultures. I also really enjoy swimming, reading stories, and trying food from around the world!
In college, I have worked on projects that use computers and data to solve big problems. For example, I’ve helped design tools that make it easier for people to find jobs, studied how cities can support young people better, and even worked on technology to prepare for wildfires.
This year, I am traveling to Madrid, Spain, with the Gilman Scholars Program! I’ll be learning about the European Union, learning a new language, and meeting new people. I’m so excited to share my adventures with you, and I can’t wait to hear about your own journeys this school year!
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!
