Bridging Academics & Personal Persuits

I love listening to reggaetón music, a genre that would be categorized as ‘urban latino trap’. Listening to reggaetón allows me to connect with my own culture by singing in Spanish and staying current with new music trends. Bad Bunny, a famous artist from Puerto Rico, is my favorite reggatón artist. Through listening to his music and similar artists, I have been able to better speak Spanish and understand how it is a symbol of identity for many Latinos like myself. My culture is more than the music I listen to, and I have been able to attend events, make friends, and integrate it into understanding how language can empower and connect communities through my degree in lingüistics. 

I enjoy going on hikes whether they are in the woods or along the coastline. I prioritize being outdoors because it allows me an outlet to relax while getting the opportunity to connect and be present with nature. The physical aspect of hiking also lets me set challenges for myself while still having fun. I'm interested in learning about nature and I can connect people to the outdoors through environmental education. Going on hikes while living in Oregon has allowed me to better connect to the environment around me and inspire people to discover the same.