Dana Vera ’19

I am double majoring in math and education, and I’m in the licensure program for middle and high school teaching. Ultimately, one of my biggest goals is to create a science education program for girls at home in Paraguay—something that is severely lacking in South America. And through the Community Service Office and its programs like the STEM Ambassadors and Project Coach, I can connect with the local community and work directly with middle and high school students, mentoring and tutoring, and putting into practice everything I am learning in my classes at Smith. I am trying to get as much experience as possible.

So I am not doing a study-abroad year. But I am one of five students going to Belize this summer to teach young students for eight weeks in the Coral Reef Ed-Ventures, a marine environmental program focusing on reef ecology and preservation. In preparation, I’m also taking scuba diving classes every Thursday at the University of Massachusetts. Then we go to Rockport, Massachusetts, to pass a practical test and get certified.

“Smith makes sure you are prepared for whatever comes up, and you know that there are always resources to help you.”

One thing that they tell you at Smith: There is nothing you can’t do. They make sure you are prepared to do anything. There is such amazing support here. I don’t think Smith will ever let us have a problem that we can’t solve. Smith makes sure you are prepared for whatever comes up, and you know that there are always resources to help you.