¡Bienvenidos (Welcome)! I'm Marie and I'm so excited to take you with me on my journey to Spain. I'm originally from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, a city known for its rivers and national kubb competitions. I graduated last spring from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Spanish. Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry found in nature. I chose this field of study because I love nature, and I want to help save it. Outside of school, I love hiking, soccer, painting, reading, and listening to any kind of music. My favorite thing in the whole world is the ocean, and I'm so excited to be living closer to it this year.
Growing up, my big brother and I had a book called 501 cities. I remember finding the Spain section and falling in love with the beautiful buildings. It's because of him that I started learning Spanish and stuck with it! This coming year, I'll be studying on a Fulbright Research Grant at the University of Girona. I'll be studying enzymes, which are tiny chemical clusters that can both break down and create the things we find in nature. They're like microscopic builders. The enzymes I study break down pollutants called "forever chemicals" so that our drinking water is clean and safe. But don't worry! This isn't all going to be science. We'll spend plenty of time talking about the lovely people, places, and things (and food) of Spain.
Want to learn how you could be a Fulbright Scholar like me? The Fulbright Program is the United States government's flagship international exchange program. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Learn more by clicking here!
