When attending undergrad, students are presented with an array of opportunities to enrich their educational experiences. This was the case for Stefani Garcia, a student at Case Western Reserve University. In fall 2023, Stefani was a recipient of the Gillman scholarship and had the privilege of studying abroad in Quito, Ecuador through International Education of Students (IES). During her time abroad, Stefani underwent an unforgettable journey of growth, learning and endless exploration.
Throughout her early life, Stefani felt disconnected from her Latin roots. “I felt insecure about my Spanish and never felt ‘Latina’ enough,” she reflects. Her desire to study abroad was driven by a determination to transform these insecurities into pride.
Before leaving for her trip, Stefani reflects on her anxiety of entering a whole new culture. However, the IES program ensures that each student lives with a host family that provides comfort for students who are otherwise alone. Stefani notes how appreciative she is of her host parents for making her feel at home and helping her along her journey.
During her time in Ecuador, Stefani seized any opportunity she could to make the most out of her experience. She volunteered at a pre-school and took all her classes in Spanish in an effort to fully immerse herself in the culture and learn the language. She also had the privilege of travelling while she was abroad to places she would never visit otherwise, such as the Amazon rainforest, the Galapagos Islands and Otavalo.
In reflecting on what she gained from her time abroad, Stefani feels more confident in herself than she ever had before. “Now, I feel a large connection to my Latin roots and I would have never felt this way had I not studied abroad,” she says. Stefani is a recipient of the Gillman Scholarship, which is a scholarship program that offers aid to students who intend to study abroad and would not have the opportunity to do so otherwise. Stefani is eternally grateful for her time in Ecuador and the Gillman scholarship for connecting her to her Latin roots.
