UIC x CEA CAPA Navigator Scholars

Alexis Rivas is a transfer student studying Urban Education. She wants to study abroad to challenge her views of the world and to hear new perspectives. Alexis believes that the opportunity to travel and see more of the world will help her better connect with others. After graduation, she will pursue a career in teaching.

Christian Najjar is a second-year student, studying biology and on the pre-med track. When thinking about studying abroad, he is particularly interested in gaining new perspectives on cultural norms, different customs, and learning new languages. He believes that his resilience, adaptability, and ability to step out of his comfort zone will help him on his journey abroad.

Estrella Andrde participated in the First Year Flames Abroad summer 2023 program in Costa Rica. She is studying Spanish education, and is interested in studying abroad a second time in Central America, Europe, or Asia. Her strengths rest in her ability to connect to others and communicate effectively. She is curious about experiencing new and diverse cultures, and getting exposure to unique perspectives.

Fabiola Jimenez is in her second year and studying Urban Education. She is motivated to study abroad so that she can experience an environment in which she is pushed to gain new perspectives and adapt to different cultures. She plans to study abroad in Brazil and has already started learning Portuguese.

Gilberto Ceja Jr. is a second-year student studying accounting. He is looking forward to honoring his family’s aspirations and embracing new horizons while also further developing his strengths of resilience and determination.

Johnathan Zamora is a second year student, majoring in nursing. In the summer of 2024, he completed the “Superheroes in Anime, Manga, Movies, and Comics” program in Japan. Prior to the program, he was most excited to experience what daily life is like in Japan, learn more about his future career, and apply lessons learned in Japan to his education in the US.

Kamryn Celis is a second year student majoring in psychology. She studied abroad in the summer of 2024 in Oaxaca, Mexico, where she completed a program in “Social Justice, Identity and Language”. Before leaving, she wrote that she was excited to get to know her peers and learn more Spanish while abroad. Her post graduation goal is to become a bilingual health care professional.

Kaosisochukwu Ogochukwu is a biology major on the pre-med track and a second year student. She is excited to experience this new and refreshing challenge, and is interested in programs all around the world. She believes that her leadership and problem solving skills will benefit her and grow during this experience.

Lana Oliveros is a transfer student studying Global Asian Studies. She wants to be an example to her peers by showing them that study abroad is an option for everyone. Lana is excited to regularly Facetime her mom and friends while abroad to share her experience and the country that she is visiting. She is confident that studying abroad can help her develop a global perspective.

Leonela Torres-Saavedra is an urban education major. She plans to study abroad as an opportunity to see more of the world and to become more independent. During her time abroad, she will network and build long-lasting professional and personal connections. She is interested in examining the educational systems in different countries so that she can help to foster a diverse and inclusive learning community.

Luna Valderrama is studying Earth and Environmental sciences. She participated in the First Year Flames Abroad Costa Rica program in the summer of 2023. Luna is committed to exploring places that she is unfamiliar with, and she wrote in her application, “I look forward to the next time I set foot on a plane knowing that my entire life is about to change.” She plans to study abroad a second time in Central or South America.

Marleni Diaz is studying Spanish. In the summer of 2024, she went to Rome and Salerno on the “Discovering Italy through Arts and Culture” program. Her previous travel experience to see her family in Mexico has shaped her as a person through cultural and language immersion. Studying abroad is important to her so she can further develop as a global learner and become more empathetic.

Michael Juarez is studying Kinesiology. He is open to programs  all over the world and views studying abroad as an opportunity to gain independence. He is excited to connect with his peers and believes his open-mindedness and work ethic will help him succeed during his travels abroad.

Naomi Alvarez is on the pre-law track, majoring in IDEA and minoring in mathematics. In the summer of 2024, she completed the “Superheroes in Anime, Manga, and Comics” program in Tokyo, Japan. Naomi also participated in the First Year Flames Abroad program during the summer of 2023. Although she has always been resilient and quick to adapt, she enjoyed the ability to observe how those traits look while navigating difficult situations abroad.

Paulina Aguilar is a pre-nursing student. She is interested in traveling and studying abroad in Europe or Asia. She wants to learn more about other countries and new languages.

Solita Slooby is a biology major with a psychology minor and on the pre-med track. In her application, she wrote that as a STEM major, it is incredibly easy to feel burnt out, but that she hopes that having the opportunity to study abroad would help her learn to be more present and in the moment- which are important practices for physicians and medical professionals. She wants to study abroad in Europe or Asia, but is open to many locations.

Stephanie Roldan is studying biology on the pre-dentistry track. She is interested in studying abroad in South Korea for language immersion. Her goal is to become trilingual in Spanish, English, and Korean. Her aspirations of being multilingual are rooted in her goal of making healthcare more accessible and breaking down language barriers. Stephanie’s work ethic, perseverance, and optimism are qualities that have helped her get to where she is today and they will help her while she is abroad too.

Valeria Herrera studied abroad in Japan with the “Superheroes in Anime, Manga, Movies, and Comics” program in the summer of 2024. In her application, she stated that she hoped studying abroad would help her grow in all aspects of her life. She emphasized that she was excited to adapt to new environments, become more open-minded, and make connections with people from different backgrounds.

Valeria Perez is on the pre-med track. She is interested in studying abroad in Europe or Oceania. Her desire to study abroad began in middle school, and she hopes that she will become more self reliant and independent. She is interested in expanding her academic and professional opportunities while abroad.

Veronica Gebbia is a transfer student studying chemical engineering. In the summer of 2024, she went to Barcelona and completed a program focused on understanding Biomaterials. In her application, she wrote, “My openness to new ideas and willingness to embrace complex concepts has enabled me to thrive in challenging environments.” During her time abroad, she focused on stepping out of her comfort zone and embracing unfamiliar customs.

Yailin Aguirre is on the pre-dentistry track. She is interested in studying abroad in North, Central, or South America, Europe, or Oceania. Her goals while abroad are to be able to better relate with people that differ from her culturally. Yailin believes that “as opportunities come across your path, it’s best if you take them and see where they take you.”