Trinity College: J-Term in France
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Hello! My name is Nanci Lopez, a first-generation first-year Posse scholar at Trinity College in Hartford. I was recently accepted to partake in what is called January Term in France on Brexit. J-Term is a two-week course that students can apply for that takes place abroad.
As a course, J-Term costs money that financial aid does not cover. I come from a low-income household and neighborhood in the southside of Chicago. Opportunities like this are not very common in my neighborhood. Nevertheless, I do not let my background stand in the way of exploring my passions and reaching my goals.
"Privatio est causa appetitus," or "Deprivation is cause for appetite."
My love for learning is rooted in my belief that knowledge is power. Even in my first year in high school, I knew that my family could not afford to send me to college. This only encouraged me to find other ways in which to fund my education by participating in programs and building networks. In my first year in high school, I was selected to be a part of the Northwestern Academy for Chicago Public schools program in which I received supplemental educational tools, such as assistance in the college application process. I also partook in programs, such as the IB World Student Conference on student activism in July 2019, for which I received full-ride scholarships. As a student, I consider myself to be hard-working, eager to learn, and persistent. No matter the financial obstacles in my way, my mentors and I always figured out how to make these experiences realistic and affordable. (Below is a picture taken while at the IB World Student Conference, with IB students from all around the world).
In Back of the Yards College Prep, I was a part of the International Baccalaureate program, meaning I took college-level courses for two years. In May 2019, I took exams for all of my courses and my overall score was 37/42. In July 2019 I graduated with honors, as valedictorian of my class, and recognized for being a part of the National Honors Society.
One of the IB courses I took was global politics in which Brexit was covered and it sparked my curiosity. As a participant in January Term, I would be able to expand on my interests in international relations- specifically the relationship between a supranational intergovernmental organization and States, the power dynamics at play and the possible consequences of Brexit. (Below I am giving a presentation for IB Higher Level Global Politics).
I intend to double major in international relations (IR) and urban studies. My first semester courses include Intro to Urban Studies, the American City, and Arts in Action class and Latin American Culture. As a liberal arts student, I am constantly making connections between my courses and would love to apply my multidisciplinary approach to knowledge in France. As an IR major this experience would supplement my schema on global actors and contemporary issues. I will not only gain first-hand knowledge but also be able to analyze the impacts on a community level by engaging with locals who are directly impacted by this decision.
Before my semester at Trinity College started I decided to get a lay of the land by participating in two pre-orientation programs. One of the programs was Venture, a women empowerment/leadership program, and Quest which was a 4-day backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. (Photos below: The first day attending Venture workshops; Last day of my backpacking trip.)
As for extracurriculars in college, I work part-time at the Underground Coffeehouse and am a part of La Voz Latina. I love my job as a barista because it allows me to foster relationships with my peers, co-workers, and staff over some of my favorite drinks. LVL is a multicultural organization on campus and I am a first-year representative on the executive board. This means that I attend e-board meetings and am the liaison for my first-year class. (Photo below: I worked at the Underground Coffeehouse during an LVL listening party, in which people can listen to music in Spanish while enjoying coffee! To my right is the current LVL President.)
As of October 2019, I am raising money for the cost of the course ($2,300 after placing downpayment and received scholarship), a roundtrip flight (average $700), and food ($200). I have contacted Department Heads at Trinity College for grants with no avail (French Studies, Ed Studies, History, International Studies, PoliSci Department, Sociology).
Thank you all for taking the time to read the aforementioned. I would greatly appreciate any help that can be provided!
As a course, J-Term costs money that financial aid does not cover. I come from a low-income household and neighborhood in the southside of Chicago. Opportunities like this are not very common in my neighborhood. Nevertheless, I do not let my background stand in the way of exploring my passions and reaching my goals.
"Privatio est causa appetitus," or "Deprivation is cause for appetite."
My love for learning is rooted in my belief that knowledge is power. Even in my first year in high school, I knew that my family could not afford to send me to college. This only encouraged me to find other ways in which to fund my education by participating in programs and building networks. In my first year in high school, I was selected to be a part of the Northwestern Academy for Chicago Public schools program in which I received supplemental educational tools, such as assistance in the college application process. I also partook in programs, such as the IB World Student Conference on student activism in July 2019, for which I received full-ride scholarships. As a student, I consider myself to be hard-working, eager to learn, and persistent. No matter the financial obstacles in my way, my mentors and I always figured out how to make these experiences realistic and affordable. (Below is a picture taken while at the IB World Student Conference, with IB students from all around the world).
In Back of the Yards College Prep, I was a part of the International Baccalaureate program, meaning I took college-level courses for two years. In May 2019, I took exams for all of my courses and my overall score was 37/42. In July 2019 I graduated with honors, as valedictorian of my class, and recognized for being a part of the National Honors Society.
One of the IB courses I took was global politics in which Brexit was covered and it sparked my curiosity. As a participant in January Term, I would be able to expand on my interests in international relations- specifically the relationship between a supranational intergovernmental organization and States, the power dynamics at play and the possible consequences of Brexit. (Below I am giving a presentation for IB Higher Level Global Politics).
I intend to double major in international relations (IR) and urban studies. My first semester courses include Intro to Urban Studies, the American City, and Arts in Action class and Latin American Culture. As a liberal arts student, I am constantly making connections between my courses and would love to apply my multidisciplinary approach to knowledge in France. As an IR major this experience would supplement my schema on global actors and contemporary issues. I will not only gain first-hand knowledge but also be able to analyze the impacts on a community level by engaging with locals who are directly impacted by this decision.
Before my semester at Trinity College started I decided to get a lay of the land by participating in two pre-orientation programs. One of the programs was Venture, a women empowerment/leadership program, and Quest which was a 4-day backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. (Photos below: The first day attending Venture workshops; Last day of my backpacking trip.)
As for extracurriculars in college, I work part-time at the Underground Coffeehouse and am a part of La Voz Latina. I love my job as a barista because it allows me to foster relationships with my peers, co-workers, and staff over some of my favorite drinks. LVL is a multicultural organization on campus and I am a first-year representative on the executive board. This means that I attend e-board meetings and am the liaison for my first-year class. (Photo below: I worked at the Underground Coffeehouse during an LVL listening party, in which people can listen to music in Spanish while enjoying coffee! To my right is the current LVL President.)
As of October 2019, I am raising money for the cost of the course ($2,300 after placing downpayment and received scholarship), a roundtrip flight (average $700), and food ($200). I have contacted Department Heads at Trinity College for grants with no avail (French Studies, Ed Studies, History, International Studies, PoliSci Department, Sociology).
Thank you all for taking the time to read the aforementioned. I would greatly appreciate any help that can be provided!
Organizer
Nanci Lopez
Organizer
Hartford, CT