El Monte High School
Class of 2007

High School Days   |  College Years
Additional Information

HIGH SCHOOL DAYS


Reflecting on your Upward Bound experience, what were some of the highlights of your participation?
Some of the highlights are camping out at night in Yosemite, singing on the vans to our internships, walking though Boston and New York City, and hanging out with friends every Saturday. Walking through the halls of the Capitol building in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., was amazing. 

Which summer programs did you complete, and if you had to choose a favorite one (Academic Frontiers, La Jolla Science Project, Capitol Internship Project, Georgetown Project), which would it be and why?
I completed Academic Frontiers, Capitol Internship and Georgetown Project. My favorite was Georgetown Project because that is where my interest in politics was solidified, my love for New York City and Boston began, and the staff members were amazing. It was one of the best 4th of July I’ve ever had.

Do you still keep in touch with any of your internship mentors?
I've kept in touch with one.

What are the most important lessons you learned from Upward Bound and do you feel that your participation helped prepare you for college?
The most important lesson was time management. I think being on a schedule and being productive within study hall sessions has helped me be productive in college at any given moment. Upward Bound helped me a lot in preparing for college by providing me with experiences to share with other students in college. It helped me develop friendships that I still have now.

COLLEGE YEARS

Which college or university did you enroll in after high school?
I enrolled in the University of California, San Diego.

Are you currently enrolled?
Yes.

What is/was your major and how did you choose it?
I am a double major, studying political science/international relations and Italian studies. I chose political science/international relations because I love learning about foreign cultures and politics. I can learn about countries and people that are very different from me, and it helps me become more aware of where I live. I chose Italian because I love the language. I began taking Italian at a community college and my love and passion for the culture and people grew. I love the history, the art, music, food, etc. I use this major as a greater focus in international politics and relations.

When do you plan to graduate? Or, if you’ve already completed your undergraduate education, are you planning to pursue a master’s degree?
I plan to graduate in 2011, and will pursue a master’s degree in international relations and affairs.

What’s the best advice you would want to share with current Upward Bound high school students?
Learn how to write a good thesis. Without a thesis, there is no paper.

Also, do what you want to do rather than what your parents want you to do. There are a lot of students who are in their major because their parents want them to be there, but they look miserable. So, study something that is fun and interesting. Double major if you have to. Make friends with international students (especially if you are considering studying abroad). They are amazing. You learn so much about how you’re viewed from their country. Learn another language, it makes you more interesting and lets you get to know a lot more people.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU

Is there any other information about you—personal, academic or professional—that you would like to share with UB?

Personal:
I will be studying abroad in Italy at the University of Bologna for a year and am the founder of an Italian club on campus.