I am currently a senior in college at UMass Lowell. I am a liberal arts major with a focus in Sociology and Digital Media. I am passionate about social justice and being the change we want to see in the world. I have lived my life so long oblivious to the issues that affect us, our community, and the world. I am fortunate enough to have a passion and desire to step out of my comfort zone to engage in conversations that may be uncomfortable but necessary. It is through these conversations that I've learned and grown to love social justice and to want the same for others. As a Christian, it is for us that we love God, our neighbors, and ourselves. I am learning what that means everyday that I am engaging in stimulating conversations that look for solutions to many of the social issues that surround us. My faith has given me better clarity as to how I can love others and it is now a matter of actually going out and doing something! I have a desire to pursue a career within economic and community development. I think it is vital to actively be involved in the change you seek after. I want to focus my career on community engagement and allowing the community to be part of the redevelopment of their neighborhood. I hope that through my experience abroad I will be able to see the world from a new perspective. I hope to do community work while I am away to look at different issues and seeing what solutions have worked and looking into innovative solutions that can work.