Maria comes from the small state of Rhode Island where she graduated with degrees in Civil Engineering and Spanish from the University of Rhode Island. Maria became passionate about travelling and culture from being an active part of Engineers for a Sustainable World where she traveled to and worked with a small community, San Mateo in the Guatemalan highlands to develop wastewater treatment for a primary school. She was also able to learn her family’s mother tongue of Spanish while spending a year studying and researching in Santander and San Sebastian, Spain where she enjoyed immersing herself in the rich culture by getting to know the people, traditions and the local languages. Having heard about MI from a close professor, Maria’s decision to join the program was clear after her time away from home- she knew she couldn’t see herself anywhere else except serving others and furthering her education. Her academic focus while at USF is in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Water Resources.
Apart from travelling Maria also enjoys the calming effects of tea, yoga and crocheting but also likes to release energy through running, kickboxing and other exercising. Her favorite part about Tampa are all the fun places to visit and the people that she has met. She is also enticed by the idea of spotting an alligator. Although it has not happened yet, she is highly optimistic.
Apart from travelling Maria also enjoys the calming effects of tea, yoga and crocheting but also likes to release energy through running, kickboxing and other exercising. Her favorite part about Tampa are all the fun places to visit and the people that she has met. She is also enticed by the idea of spotting an alligator. Although it has not happened yet, she is highly optimistic.