Hello! My name is Solana, and I am so thrilled to be able to share my stories as I embark on my journey in London, England. I am originally from sunny Los Angeles, CA, but my home school is in Philadelphia, PA. When I am home, I enjoy going to the beach, reading, and cooking with my family. Did you know that in one summer, I learned over 20 recipes?! And the best part — I taught myself, and now my family has me cook all the time for them.
Currently, I study Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania, and I am looking forward to applying to law school in the fall. As a part of my program, I have been able to volunteer to tutor incarcerated juveniles through their coursework, which has allowed me to see the joy of working with kids. This prompted me to become a summer camp counselor, where I have worked with kids of different ages and seen the benefits each age group provides. Working with kids for the past two years, I enjoy getting to know each kid and seeing the ways they grow under my mentorship.
I have been dreaming of visiting London since I was very young. Fun fact: My Siri on my phone has been changed to have a British accent ever since I got an iPhone! Learning about European History in 10th grade, I have been so interested in viewing the places and monuments I learned so much about. However, being a low-income student, I never thought this possibility would be extended to me. That was until my school informed me of the ways I can study abroad and complete my coursework. With the help of my school and the generosity of the Gilman Scholarship, I have been able to travel outside of the United States for the first time to the country of my dreams.
While in London, I not only want to refresh my historical knowledge, but also to see many fun places and countries in Europe. I want to see many different museums, architecture, and well-known restaurants across London and Greater Europe. Doing this will also allow me to compare it to what I currently know from my classes in the US. By reading and listening to my stories, I hope you will be able to see the triumphs and the challenges of traveling in a new country.
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.
