“Thanks to PrimeraGlobal I traveled to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and volunteered with social-impact startups in renewable energy and conservation efforts. I learned beginners Portuguese. This was very rewarding as I was able to hold conversations with native speakers, and connect with them meaningfully! This experience boosted my confidence, developed my independence, and equipped me with strong life skills, preparing me for my first year at university.

I also interned in Peru and Colombia with a social-impact company that helps underserved Latin American students finance their higher education. I worked in a team with another intern trying to predict the likelihood that a student drops out. Some of the ideas we suggested have helped the company better understand how to reduce the risk that a student abandons its career. I’m proud that my project helped an important mission. My internship and volunteer experience reaffirmed the importance of giving back, strengthening my interest in a career with positive social impact.”

During her experience with PrimeraGlobal, Andrea:

• Learned conversational Portuguese and had a cultural immersion in Brazil!
• Volunteered with a non profit that helps protect Brazilian Atlantic forests
• Gained experience in applied math and computational modeling

Today Andrea is a Junior at Columbia University.