Scholars Around the World
Two JKCF Scholars organize a 15-day study tour to Bolivia to explore the country’s political economy, peoples and rural development
Scholar Spotlight
A prolific writer of poetry and song, Nate is a dynamic speaker and isn't shy about performing in front of an audience.
Valeria F Dias
"I will never forget my first day of school as a 9th grader in the US. I quietly cried in the bathroom because I was lost and late for class, but was unable to communicate in English or Spanish."
- Program: 2007 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Recipient
- Resides: Ithaca , NY
- Hometown: Bahia, Tanque Novo, Brazil
- Age: 27
- Community College: Miami Dade College
- Four-year College or University: Cornell University
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Health Care, Medical Practitioner
- Other Interests: Childcare, Foreign Languages / International Study, Health Care, Honor Society, Sciences, Social Science / Anthropology, Student Government, Tutoring / Mentoring, Volunteer Work, Medical Anthropology and Biomedical Ethics
Biography
Valeria Dias's mother was the first divorced woman in the history of her small Brazilian city. This earned the single mother a reputation as a 'rapariga,' a woman with no principles and values. She decided to take her three children to a more advanced city, and Sao Paulo became the family's next home. "I was not sure whether to hate my mother for taking me away from my father or to be forever grateful for taking me away from that place." From Sao Paulo, the family moved to Florida. The opportunities, the tall buildings, and the technology mesmerized Valeria.
After one day of struggle, Valeria resolved to translate her textbooks, learn English, and succeed in her studies. "I met an old Brazilian lady that told me: 'Don't give up. This is a different country where they actually reward those who work hard.' I took her advice, and in that first year, I received an award for Outstanding Social Science Student of the Year. I still wonder how I did it!" Valeria admits an addiction to awards and trophies. She excelled in French competitions. "As my language skills improved tremendously over the years, the passion for leading and serving the community also blossomed." She served in her college's student government and on the campus disciplinary committee, co-founded the biology club, and works with school friends doing community beautification projects.
At Miami Dade College she took a rigorous schedule of classes, achieving academic excellence and gaining a reputation as a highly intelligent and charming woman. Scientific interests dominated Valeria's coursework and activity. She has worked in spinal cord injury research with the University of Miami's Bridge to the Future Program, researching new treatments for paralysis in the world's largest spinal cord injury facility, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. Valeria desires "a career in which I can help people on a global scale by finding new treatments and cures for ailments that afflict millions around the world."
Other Scholars Like Valeria
Hannah Kang
Graduate Scholar
Brown University
Sara Sorrell
Graduate Scholar
Indiana University School of Medicine / University of Cambridge
Adam Eide
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
Undecided
Camille Theriaque
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
Mount Holyoke College