*BASAA Scholarship

Hi! My name is Laura Mata. I was born and raised in Costa Rica, and moved to New York City with my mother and two sisters at the age of 12. I am a sophomore nursing student at Boston College, and my dream is to work with children as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Whenever I’m not reading 2000 page nursing textbooks, you can find me taking buzzfeed quizzes, staring at pictures of puppies, or crying while watching romantic comedies. Although most of my time is consumed with school work, I am actively involved in the community, both on and off campus, and especially with the homeless population in Boston.
As a first generation immigrant and college student, the barriers to pursing a higher education and study abroad opportunities have been plenty. However, with the support of mentors, FEA, and BASAA, I will be studying in Universidad San Francisco de Quito in the Fall of 2014. While at USFQ, I will be participating in the Global Health Program, which gives me the opportunity to complete a clinical rotation in rural and urban clinics in Quito, and will allow me to acquire skills from a different cultural perspective. The program also incorporates medical Spanish, health brigades, and community health improvement projects, all of which will expose me to the Ecuadorian healthcare system while helping me identify with the local community. I am extremely excited to see what Ecuador holds for me, with all of its beautiful landmarks and people, and to experience nursing in a whole new perspective. September cannot come faster!