Scholar Performance
Tessa was featured with her chamber group on the national radio program 'From the Top'.
Nahiris M. Bahamón Fernández
“My experience has opened my eyes to the importance of the socio-political issues of this world, not just to a certain country or government but to individuals and to families as well.”
- Program: 2008 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Recipient
- Hometown: Bogotá/Valledupar, Colombia
- Community College: College of DuPage
- Four-year College or University: University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Health Care, Languages, Liberal Arts, Medical Practitioner, Nonprofits, Public Policy, Sciences, Social Science / Anthropology, Biology, Anthropology, French
- Other Interests: Environmental Science, Foreign Languages / International Study, Government, Health Care, Honor Society, International Relations / NGOs, Languages, Leadership Development, Liberal Arts, Literature, Nonprofits, Outdoor / Mountaineering / Camping, Sciences, Social Science / Anthropology, Student Government, Tutoring / Mentoring, Volunteer Work
Biography
PROFILE: At 17, Nahiris Bahamon Fernandez was studying at one of the finest medical facilities in Colombia. “By the end of the first year, we were supposed to master biology, biochemistry and biophysics; as well as histology, embryology, anatomy, and general concepts of medicine.” She was passionate and excited by all that she was learning. Outside forces were to intervene with her plans.
At that time, her father was acting as liaison between the American embassy and the Colombian army. Local guerrilla groups became displeased: “Our lives were threatened. I was told to stop going to school, as were my brothers, and my mom could not get out of the house.” As the situation worsened, Nahiris and her family were forced to leave Colombia for their own safety.
Taken away from everything she knew and forced to master a new language quickly to restart her education, Nahiris was angry but re-channeled her energy in positive ways. Now fluent in English, she also plans to study French.
INSPIRATION: Nahiris’s parents inspire her every day to work hard for her dreams and never give up. “They both are great individuals with an exceptional sense of duty, ethics, and justice.”
ASPIRATION: “I plan to go to medical school, become a pediatrician, and work in Africa and Latin America, hopefully by joining Doctors Without Borders.”
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Nahiris served as Vice President of her Phi Theta Kappa chapter and as Treasurer of the International Student Organization. She is committed to improving environmental awareness and served as a representative for a college-wide committee on environmental safety.
ACCOLADES: She served as a research fellow in biochemistry at Illinois State University last summer, spending many hours in the lab. As a result, Nahiris was invited to be a presenter at the 18th Annual Argonne Symposium for undergraduates in science, engineering, and mathematics.
INTERESTING FACT: Nahiris is passionate about music. She sings and plays percussion.
Other Scholars Like Nahiris
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Rosita Najmi
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Yerin Jeon
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Caitlin Cohen
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