Melany Garcia Abreu ’22

Describe your major in five words or less. 
Interesting, stimulating and hard work.

Other clubs, sports, activities you’d like to mention:
I'm a Posse Scholar and do research at the Buck lab.

What do you see as your future dream job or career?
Physician! 

Looking ahead a decade (or two) from now, what's something you'd like to have achieved?
I would like to have traveled to many countries like France, Brazil, Spain England and Italy. 

What’s one piece of advice you’d like to share about your time at Smith?
It is easy to get overwhelmed with classwork at Smith because of the academic rigor of classes, be sure to manage your time well so you can have fun while you succeed!

Describe one moment with a professor that particularly sticks with you.
One moment that particularly sticks with me was not with a professor, it was with Valerie Joseph, the AEMES mentoring administrative director. During my first year at Smith, she told my posse that we need to remember that in college the only competition we have is with our past selves; we should always strive to be better versions of ourselves and not compare ourselves to others. The ultimate goal is to get our degree and experience personal growth while we do it. Every single year of my time at Smith, when I was having difficulties, I would remember this piece of advice from Valerie and it helped me get through. 

In college the only competition we have is with our past selves. We should always strive to be better versions of ourselves and not compare ourselves to others.

Where has been your favorite spot on campus to relax? What spot will you miss the most?
I will miss the tables between the chemistry labs on the third floor of Ford Hall the most. 

What’s your all-time (big or small) favorite Smith memory?
My favorite Smith memory was first arriving and getting to explore the campus with my posse and my family.

What’s one thing you wish you could tell your first-year self about your Smith experience?
I wish I could tell my first-year self to branch out more in terms of connecting with people and making friends. 

If another student was considering your major, what would you tell them?
I would tell them to go for it, it'll be so much fun! Both the chemistry and French departments are great. The classes do get more difficult the higher up you go, so make sure to use all of your resources. The faculty members in the chemistry department are amazing!! The classes in the French major are really interesting and you have the opportunity to study abroad in Paris for a year!

What do you think has been the most “Smithie” thing you’ve done in life so far?
The most Smithie thing I've done in life so far is keeping my hair short after my “big chop.”