Latino Student Spotlight

Julissa Ortiz   Hometown: Glennville, GA Year at Southern: Sophomore Majors: Child and Family Development and Spanish

I knew that I was going to go to Georgia Southern ever since my senior year in high school. Georgia Southern had everything on my wish list! The campus is absolutely beautiful, it’s close to home, and Georgia Southern also offered me a great scholarship opportunity.

My favorite thing about Georgia Southern is the large-scale, small-feel aspect. By having the small feel, I don’t feel like just another number. I feel like a person who can actually make a difference. I also love the people! Georgia Southern has become my second home because I have made friends who I now consider family.

Georgia Southern has a great academic reputation. I have learned so much during my time here. The professors are so helpful and engaging. The best part is that the professors actually want you to succeed. Without a doubt, I know Georgia Southern can give me the tools I need to achieve my academic goals.

After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school. My goal is to become a Child Life Specialist.

Maria Alejandra Amiel   Hometown: Lima, Peru Year at Southern: Senior Majors: International Studies and French Minor: Irish Studies

Georgia Southern University truly lives up to the large-scale, small-feel expectation more than I could’ve hoped for. I chose Georgia Southern to be able to take advantage of the opportunity to form close relationships with my professors and get the most out of my university education.

My favorite things about Georgia Southern are the research opportunities and the engagement. As a part of the Honors Program I am required to complete a thesis to be able to graduate with honors and to be able to work one-on-one with professors and participate in scholarly conferences has been the highlight of my academic career.

I have been extremely blessed to have the chance to participate in three study abroad programs during my time at Georgia Southern. I have been a part of the Wexford-Savannah Axis in 2013 and 2016. This study abroad trip to Ireland focused greatly on research and I was able to conduct primary source research, which is not common for an undergraduate student, especially a freshman during my first year. I also participated in a language focused program to France which enhanced my knowledge of the French language and culture. Through my study abroad experience I have grown so much professionally, as well as personally. I have a better sense of who I am and who I want to be, as well as how to present myself and interact with people around the world.

I have several tentative plans upon my graduation next spring. I got accepted to be a part of the Up With People tour crew starting July 2017. I plan to continue my French studies in France for two months and intern while I keep studying the language. I am also planning to attend law school to become an international lawyer and/or journalist. I eventually hope to work with the United Nations while doing what I love which is communicating with different people and cultures. I hope to incorporate my arts background as a graphic designer and photographer into my internship and my work in journalism.

Brandon Ashiedu   Hometown: Douglasville, GA Year at Southern: Junior Majors: Information Technology (Network and Database Administration) Minor: Computer Engineering

At first, like many other students, I was unsure about where I wanted to go and Georgia Southern was definitely in my top choices. I chose Georgia Southern because of the many different majors available in their STEM program, the active student body all over the beautiful campus, and the blessing of receiving the Goizueta Scholarship.

Hands down, my favorite thing about Georgia Southern is the student body. The students you meet on campus can become your friends so easily and before you know it they’re your college best friends. Also, seeing all of the different interactions with students, organizations, and clubs really gives us our large-scale, small-feel campus.

I genuinely enjoy the fact that our professors encourage going to their office hours and to meet with tutors. I was able to experience the enormous benefit it was to my work and self-esteem after getting that one-on-one help that I needed. Now it is a habit for any time that I am struggling in my academics.

After graduation, if I am not already interning/employed with a company, I plan to get a job in the information technology field either here in the states or overseas. I would love the chance to utilize my degree and see the world at the same time. I really just plan to show the world what I know.

Alejandro Acuna   Hometown: Chatsworth, GA Year at Southern: Junior Major: Finance

Honestly I never planned on going to college right after high school. I had a close friend in high school that was already accepted who convinced me to look at Georgia Southern and I fell in love with the campus and the atmosphere of Statesboro.

My favorite thing about Georgia Southern would have to be all of the different ways to get involved on campus, it makes you feel like you’re a part of a community. I am involved with The Association of Latin American Students and a member of Phi Delta Theta both with members who I consider to be family.

When it comes to academics I would have never imagined the resources and opportunities that have been offered by the professors. The College of Business Administration is constantly sending information about internships and job opportunities.

After getting my bachelor’s degree, I plan on pursuing my Master’s degree and if things work out, I’d like to become a certified financial planner.