Study Abroad

Hi, my name is Paulina. I am a second year student at UIC, majoring in neuroscience. I am going to study abroad this semester and on this website, I will share my experience. 

During my first year in college I saved money to go with my friends to Cancun becasue I wanted to experience the stereotypical college spring break. I was talking to my excited girlfirned on phone when I noticed a picture of a child in a background of slums. I read about a volunteering trip to Honduras and I changed my plane ticket from a "college-patrying" Mexico to a "medical help" trip to Honduras. It was one of the the best choices I have ever made. The trip to Honduras changed my life. When I came back I started my own organziation at my university called Medicine Without Borders (https://uic.collegiatelink.net/organization/medicalbrigades) because I wanted to expand the medical help to other countries of Latin America.

I knew it is impossible to obtain the experience I gained abroad during any university lecture. That is why I decided to study abroad. I knew that I will need a lot of money to cover the expenses of the trip, but I did everything I could to reach my goal. Aside from working and saving money, I applied for multiple scholarships and did many fund-raising fairs. In the end the total cost of my trip was covered. My FAFSA money and the Gilman Scholarship money covered my school tuition; the UIC Dean's Scholarship covered my plane ticket; and I have my own savings for additional expenses.

Still, I do not have money to pay for housing, so I decided to look for a host family, who would offer me a room and meals during my study abroad in exchange for helping with their children and house cleaning.

Why University of Sydney?

1. they have a great neuroscience courses not offered at my home university

2. they have one of the top neuroscientists and psychiatrists in the world as lecturers

3. it is one of the top 35 universities world wide

4.One of my dreams is to explore Australia