Submission Number: 368
Submission ID: 1297
Submission UUID: 66169f2a-293d-4d00-b05f-2fb047ee4d3b

Created: Tue, 02/20/2024 - 21:11
Completed: Tue, 02/20/2024 - 21:11
Changed: Thu, 05/08/2025 - 06:14

Remote IP address: 107.184.19.250
Submitted by:Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No

Flagged: Yes
{Empty}
Katherine
Burton
she/her
Huntington Beach
California
United States
92648
Environmental Engineering
English (5), Spanish (3)
The summer following my junior year, I traveled to Granada, Spain with a select few individuals from my Spanish class. During this four-week study abroad, we took classes at the University of Granada's Center for Modern Languages. Although our classes only took up the first half of the day during the week, we had afternoon activities and free time that allowed us to become fully immersed in the culture. My favorite excursions were weekend trips to beaches and tours that showed us the history of the region. All of this, from our courses to our events, were in Spanish. I learned how to order a taxi in Spanish after I and my roommate decided we could not walk the mile to return to our host family, who only spoke Spanish. This experience forced me into a situation where I had to put my language skills to use and communicate with individuals who were raised very differently than I was. I quickly learned what was acceptable and what was not, like wearing exercise clothes when not exercising.
Furthermore, my family and I have traveled to several different continents. In total, I have been to 16 countries, mainly in Europe. Through these adventures, I have been fortunate enough to learn about the history of different countries and their culture. These trips have taught me how to adapt to other communities, allowing me to adapt easily to new environments.
Through my study abroad and my traveling experiences, I have learned much about the world. I have been fully immersed in new cultures, learning and adapting to my environment as needed. I believe that these journeys have prepared me for the global engineering RAP by allowing me to move between cultures. These opportunities have taught me so much about people and allowed me to grow as a person. I believe that I can continue to learn and help the global environment through the global engineering program.
The ideal person living down the hall from me in the Global Engineering RAP would be a combinated of my two older sisters. The middle sister, Amy, is blonde and perfect. Growing up, she was athletic and easily adapted to any situation she was in. After COVID, she became more introverted, always open to spending a day inside or leaving a social event early. She has a dark sense of humor and is open to laughing at any joke, no matter how corny it is. Amy is a wonderful person to be around because she is always honest, sometimes to the point where it is brutal to listen to. However, in life, I believe that you need someone to tell you the truth, whether it be from telling you that your outfit does not match or that you need to take a day off. My oldest sister is the complete opposite of her. She loves socializing and has been an adult since the day she was born. She is also always down to do anything, except nature and her do not have the best relationship. Although neither of my sisters are engineers, let alone stem students, they are smart and driven students who always complete their work on time. This gives them time to be social and take time for themselves, which should be as much of a priority as academics are. However, the most important thing about my sisters is that they are imperfect and human. This is why the combination of them would be the idea hallmate, real people who I'd be thrilled to spend my time with.
Growing up, I wanted to be a dolphin trainer. For my 5th-grade future plans, I hoped to be a dancer. However, neither of these careers allowed me to accomplish my dreams of making a difference in the world. I knew I wanted to help people, tackling the issues that are facing the world with my strongest qualities. This is why I decided to apply to college as an environmental engineer to create a better world for the next generation to live in. Therefore, when this program was introduced to me during the Buff day, I knew that this program could allow me to help people. Moreover, Global Engineering RAP gives me the opportunity to take my ideas and my strengths and apply them to real-world situations. The chance of an undergraduate student, let alone a freshman, being able to take their skills as an engineer and apply them is a foreign idea to me. Yet, CU Boulder created both this opportunity and a community that a student can join.
This community will contribute to my training as an engineer by giving me hands on experience and allowing me to use concept application in the global environment. As a kinesthetic learner, being able to use my hands and do the "dirty work," so to speak, will allow me to go as an individual and an engineer. Furthermore, this training has the ability to make me a more knowledgeable and caring person. By presenting me with challenges that I must overcome, I can refine all of my skills, not just engineering. Through these endeavors, I will work with associates to help solve problems, allowing me to become a team member. In this community, I have many skills that I can use to help benefit the group as a whole, with my leadership qualities at the forefront. Throughout my years in Model UN, I have learned to be a leader, not by being the loudest in the group, but by being able to communicate my ideas to others effectively. This ability to communicate and delegate responsibilities makes me a strong leader, but also an essential team member. In addition to my time in Model UN, I have also had the opportunity to be a leader in the dance environment. This will be the second year where I am teaching a 3 minute dance to a group of individuals in a short amount of time. Due to my strength of character and leadership, I have been able to complete my dances early, giving me time to refine my work. Overall, my leadership qualities and my drive are what I will contribute to the residential community.
{Empty}