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Submission Number: 415
Submission ID: 1362
Submission UUID: 3469fffb-0c31-440a-9419-e57ebae1ef85
Created: Mon, 04/15/2024 - 00:10
Completed: Mon, 04/15/2024 - 00:10
Changed: Mon, 05/12/2025 - 04:56
Remote IP address: 50.233.3.154
Submitted by:Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Locked: Yes
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Lorenza
Marquard Cerisola
she/her
Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico
05214
Aerospace Engineering
Spanish (5), English (5), French (3)
Leaving my home in Mexico to attend boarding school in California has given me the opportunity of becoming part of an international community. We all come from different parts of the world and different regions of our own countries. But even though we bring with us our own beliefs and customs, we are united by the precious moments of joy and laughter. I’m able to collaborate with girls who have completely different backgrounds, perspectives and approaches to solving problems, analyzing literature, and approaching life. They have become my closest friends and those from whom I’ve learned the most.
Last year, the school offered a trip to Italy, which was full of surprises. We spent our first two days in Rome, where we got soaked in a hail storm after visiting St Peter’s Basilica, walked through the Roman Forum, and explored the Pantheon and Colosseum, where I raced Mrs. Luna, our director of transportation, up and down the Piazza di Spagna. We traveled to Assisi for a day, where I panicked and managed to order a meal alternating between Spanish, English, and French, as I do not speak Italian. A couple of days later, we were in Florence, climbing up the Duomo, walking through the Uffizi gallery, and exploring the city. During my time in Italy, I was able to witness awe-inspiring architectural and engineering feats, like intricate details decorating the columns, the arches we walked through, and the beautiful art that inscribed stories and culture into the ceiling we walked under. Additionally to being exposed to a different culture and learning from the art, food, and history, I was able to share conversations with some of my peers and faculty with whom I don’t usually spend time. It was nice to learn about what colored their perception.
This past summer, I also attended CSSSA, a summer arts program for high school students, where I quickly realized that intellectual diversity isn’t only prominent within different countries, or across one country, but within a singular state. During my time at CSSSA, I learned how my peers’ art encompassed their approach to dealing with personal conflicts or broader social issues. I discovered that within my work, I, too, subconsciously use commentaries and symbolism. Our student gallery reflected the intellectual diversity in both the artists’ and the viewers’ perceptions, prompting an unspoken conversation between them.
Intellectual diversity is beautiful, but it is also incredibly useful. A few months ago, our school had the privilege of hosting a dinner for 29 peacekeepers (mostly women, some civilians, and others military) from around the world. The women at my table traveled from countries like Senegal, Mauritius, and Kosovo. During our meal, we touched on a variety of topics. We compared mundane things like mealtimes, foods, and traditions in our countries. But, as we ventured into the topic of what it’s like to be a woman, I realized that despite everyone’s different mother tongues, upbringing, and belief systems, they all shared the same hardships of being a woman in a leadership role. Being a woman entails fighting for your place, having your capabilities constantly questioned, and having to prove yourself worthy of respect. It was incredibly frustrating to hear that the hardest part of the Superintendent of the Mauritius police force’s job wasn’t dealing with criminals but fighting against the gender norms within the organization. The woman to my right told me this was the first time the military had ever sent her to a safe place, and yet she was willing to leave her family back home and risk her life time after time in order to provide medical support to those who needed it. How is it that someone who sacrifices so much for others, a woman who learned to speak fluent English in seven weeks, is doubted simply because of her gender? The peacekeepers that visited us that day were connected by their troubles, but they were also connected by their hopes and perseverance. They weren’t scared of their reality or the patriarchal institutions they worked in; they were happy to continue proving everyone wrong and leading the way for the women who would come after them. The community the peacekeepers created, and the bond they made with us students was powerful. They fueled one another’s aspirations and created a support system to fall back on when the world seemed unsympathetic. These women had different stories and, thus, different ways of approaching obstacles, which allows one to perceive the world through a new lens and thus often find solutions and insights you might have never thought of. Differing experiences mean different ways of thinking and many more angles to approach a problem from. I was incredibly fortunate to speak with such strong, resilient, and courageous women. I’ll carry the perseverance they inspired within me as I work towards my aspirations and goals.
This summer, I will visit Ireland and Spain with my best friends. Then, I will travel with my Swiss cousins to France (where I’m excited to use the French I’ve learned in school in a real-life situation), Croatia, and finally get to know my cousins’ hometown of Biel-Benken, Switzerland. I’ve always been very close to them even though diverse customs have colored our childhood. I am excited to finally discover a part of my cousins that I’ve never had the opportunity to see before, to meet the people who have influenced them to become the beautiful people they are today. This coming trip, as well as the ones I’ve had the privilege of experiencing through school, will have exposed me to an array of distinct and wonderful cultures, perspectives, and various ways of thinking. They have helped me grow and prepared me not only to work with others who share different beliefs and customs from my own, but to see the beauty in and the benefits of doing so.
Last year, the school offered a trip to Italy, which was full of surprises. We spent our first two days in Rome, where we got soaked in a hail storm after visiting St Peter’s Basilica, walked through the Roman Forum, and explored the Pantheon and Colosseum, where I raced Mrs. Luna, our director of transportation, up and down the Piazza di Spagna. We traveled to Assisi for a day, where I panicked and managed to order a meal alternating between Spanish, English, and French, as I do not speak Italian. A couple of days later, we were in Florence, climbing up the Duomo, walking through the Uffizi gallery, and exploring the city. During my time in Italy, I was able to witness awe-inspiring architectural and engineering feats, like intricate details decorating the columns, the arches we walked through, and the beautiful art that inscribed stories and culture into the ceiling we walked under. Additionally to being exposed to a different culture and learning from the art, food, and history, I was able to share conversations with some of my peers and faculty with whom I don’t usually spend time. It was nice to learn about what colored their perception.
This past summer, I also attended CSSSA, a summer arts program for high school students, where I quickly realized that intellectual diversity isn’t only prominent within different countries, or across one country, but within a singular state. During my time at CSSSA, I learned how my peers’ art encompassed their approach to dealing with personal conflicts or broader social issues. I discovered that within my work, I, too, subconsciously use commentaries and symbolism. Our student gallery reflected the intellectual diversity in both the artists’ and the viewers’ perceptions, prompting an unspoken conversation between them.
Intellectual diversity is beautiful, but it is also incredibly useful. A few months ago, our school had the privilege of hosting a dinner for 29 peacekeepers (mostly women, some civilians, and others military) from around the world. The women at my table traveled from countries like Senegal, Mauritius, and Kosovo. During our meal, we touched on a variety of topics. We compared mundane things like mealtimes, foods, and traditions in our countries. But, as we ventured into the topic of what it’s like to be a woman, I realized that despite everyone’s different mother tongues, upbringing, and belief systems, they all shared the same hardships of being a woman in a leadership role. Being a woman entails fighting for your place, having your capabilities constantly questioned, and having to prove yourself worthy of respect. It was incredibly frustrating to hear that the hardest part of the Superintendent of the Mauritius police force’s job wasn’t dealing with criminals but fighting against the gender norms within the organization. The woman to my right told me this was the first time the military had ever sent her to a safe place, and yet she was willing to leave her family back home and risk her life time after time in order to provide medical support to those who needed it. How is it that someone who sacrifices so much for others, a woman who learned to speak fluent English in seven weeks, is doubted simply because of her gender? The peacekeepers that visited us that day were connected by their troubles, but they were also connected by their hopes and perseverance. They weren’t scared of their reality or the patriarchal institutions they worked in; they were happy to continue proving everyone wrong and leading the way for the women who would come after them. The community the peacekeepers created, and the bond they made with us students was powerful. They fueled one another’s aspirations and created a support system to fall back on when the world seemed unsympathetic. These women had different stories and, thus, different ways of approaching obstacles, which allows one to perceive the world through a new lens and thus often find solutions and insights you might have never thought of. Differing experiences mean different ways of thinking and many more angles to approach a problem from. I was incredibly fortunate to speak with such strong, resilient, and courageous women. I’ll carry the perseverance they inspired within me as I work towards my aspirations and goals.
This summer, I will visit Ireland and Spain with my best friends. Then, I will travel with my Swiss cousins to France (where I’m excited to use the French I’ve learned in school in a real-life situation), Croatia, and finally get to know my cousins’ hometown of Biel-Benken, Switzerland. I’ve always been very close to them even though diverse customs have colored our childhood. I am excited to finally discover a part of my cousins that I’ve never had the opportunity to see before, to meet the people who have influenced them to become the beautiful people they are today. This coming trip, as well as the ones I’ve had the privilege of experiencing through school, will have exposed me to an array of distinct and wonderful cultures, perspectives, and various ways of thinking. They have helped me grow and prepared me not only to work with others who share different beliefs and customs from my own, but to see the beauty in and the benefits of doing so.
I’d love the person across the hall from me to be curious. I enjoy people who are curious because I like listening to what others have to say and what they are passionate about. Being surrounded by someone interested in the world around them and constantly learning new things, would allow me to be constantly exposed to new topics, learn along with my peer, and find new interests. I’d love to engage in conversations about things I might not have had the chance to explore on my own. However, apart from having a drive for knowledge, I’d be grateful to be close to someone willing to collaborate, who isn’t scared to ask for help, and who is willing to help others. In more direct words, someone others could go to for help in a math problem or a project they are unsure how to approach, someone who supports and propels others towards becoming the best version of themselves. But even more than that, I hope the person down the hall is someone others feel comfortable talking to, who lends an ear, who is willing to put in the effort to cheer up someone—a person who genuinely looks out for and values their community and the people that make it up. The kind of person who leaves the door of their room open, so that those walking by can come in, talk, and introduce themselves; someone who is excited to meet new people and is a little extroverted. Having someone who is respectful towards others and the space they share and is mindful while being open to fun and laughter makes a huge difference when living in a dorm, so I’d love to have a hallmate like that.
Time is more valuable than gold, and we are in dire need of it. We’ve inherited the adverse reactions that have surged from technological progress. Global warming is no longer debatable; it is a crisis we are living through and a problem we bear the responsibility of solving. However, we are unprepared for the challenges approaching us. The natural disasters we have encountered these past years have shown that our societies, infrastructure, and ecosystems are not equipped to deal with the outcomes climate change has triggered. For instance, in October of last year, the Mexican city of Acapulco suffered disastrous destruction from Hurricane Ottis, which resulted in people losing their loved ones, their homes, and their livelihoods. Global warming isn’t just an ecological problem; it’s also a social and economic one.
Progress must be made, and I plan to be a part of that change. The experience I’ll have by being part of the Global Engineering RAP will prepare me for the mission I’d like to hold myself accountable for through my career as an Aerospace engineer. Sources like CarbonBrief.org and the International Energy Agency state that the aeronautical sector is responsible for about 2.0% of all C02 emissions; I want to focus my work and research on decreasing this percentage as close to net zero as possible.
The damage in Acapulco is not the only catastrophe I’ve witnessed in Mexico; the country I grew up in has always experienced a very severe water crisis. During the last few months, the lack of water in Mexico City has been an escalating issue; many low-income neighborhoods have been left completely without water. The worst part of it is that about half of the water that is pumped from outside sources is lost to leaks. Progress must be made, and I’d like to play a role in that progress in any way I can. The Global Engineering RAP will give me the experience to make a real impact in communities that are vulnerable, to find permanent solutions for global conflicts, the type of solutions that could permanently return resources to communities like the one my family lives next to in Mexico City.
As part of the Global Engineering RAP, I hope to share this passion for finding solutions, exploring different options, and learning from others so that in collaboration with others, I can continue doing what I’ve been doing since the first time I could hold a colored pencil: using the tools and the knowledge at my disposal to bring visions to reality. I want to make a positive impact, and I’d love to have the opportunity to become part of a community that is set on finding solutions for global challenges.
Progress must be made, and I plan to be a part of that change. The experience I’ll have by being part of the Global Engineering RAP will prepare me for the mission I’d like to hold myself accountable for through my career as an Aerospace engineer. Sources like CarbonBrief.org and the International Energy Agency state that the aeronautical sector is responsible for about 2.0% of all C02 emissions; I want to focus my work and research on decreasing this percentage as close to net zero as possible.
The damage in Acapulco is not the only catastrophe I’ve witnessed in Mexico; the country I grew up in has always experienced a very severe water crisis. During the last few months, the lack of water in Mexico City has been an escalating issue; many low-income neighborhoods have been left completely without water. The worst part of it is that about half of the water that is pumped from outside sources is lost to leaks. Progress must be made, and I’d like to play a role in that progress in any way I can. The Global Engineering RAP will give me the experience to make a real impact in communities that are vulnerable, to find permanent solutions for global conflicts, the type of solutions that could permanently return resources to communities like the one my family lives next to in Mexico City.
As part of the Global Engineering RAP, I hope to share this passion for finding solutions, exploring different options, and learning from others so that in collaboration with others, I can continue doing what I’ve been doing since the first time I could hold a colored pencil: using the tools and the knowledge at my disposal to bring visions to reality. I want to make a positive impact, and I’d love to have the opportunity to become part of a community that is set on finding solutions for global challenges.
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