Office of Study Abroad

Profile: Kimberly Rosas Avila '26

Major/minor: HSSP and Hispanic Studies Majors

Study abroad program: Brandeis in Mérida: Public Health in the Yucatán Peninsula, Summer 2025

Reason you chose this program: I had always wanted to study abroad, but I felt hesitant about going too far from home. Mexico and Cuba felt like the perfect fit since they are Spanish-speaking countries, and I was also deeply interested in exploring global health.

Favorite classes: Both classes, Contemporary Issues in Public Health in the Yucatán and Comparative Public Health Systems in Latin America, were amazing. The professors were not only passionate about teaching but also super approachable, and the topics we covered kept me interested the whole time.

How did you incorporate your Brandeis major/areas of study into your abroad experience? My two majors—HSSP and Hispanic Studies—came together in really meaningful ways while I was abroad. HSSP gave me the tools to think about public health challenges through the lens of equity, access, and community needs. Hispanic Studies gave me the language skills and cultural background to really connect with people, understand the local context, and appreciate how history and culture shape health systems. Having both areas of study made everything I was learning in Mexico and Cuba feel more relevant and personal.

Housing situation: I lived with another Brandeis student in a homestay, and while we each had our own room, I absolutely loved spending time with my host family.

What were some parts of your identity that you thought about while considering study abroad that other students may want to talk to you about? As a Pentecostal Christian, I wanted to be sure I could maintain a sense of spiritual community while abroad. This was an important part of my identity that I considered when choosing to study in Mexico. Thankfully, I was able to connect with a welcoming Pentecostal church, which not only supported my faith but also helped me build deeper ties to the local community.

What was your greatest challenge? The biggest challenge for me was definitely the week in Cuba. I was really sick and not used to the environment, but even then, I could see how beautiful the country was.

Favorite memory: My favorite memory has to be a family dinner we had at the church, where I got to spend more time with the brothers and sisters there. Everyone was so sweet, and they even surprised me with departure gifts. My friends and I also had this tradition of walking to a restaurant just five minutes from the church after service, and honestly, I still dream about the food from that place.

Did you apply for any scholarships? If so, which ones and how did they impact your time abroad? I applied to the Fund for Education Abroad and the Gilman Scholarship, and they ended up covering most of my trip. I’m so grateful because without their support, I wouldn’t have been able to go.

What do you know now that you didn't know before? I honestly didn’t think it would be possible for a first-gen, low-income student like me to study abroad without debt—but it is! I’m so thankful for my scholarships and for all the support from the study abroad office. Huge shoutout to Alisha Cardwell for making it happen!

Fact about Mexico that you think people would be surprised to learn? I’ve come to see just how different culture can be, even within the same country. Since I grew up around a lot of North Mexicans, it was shocking to see how different Mérida was. Mexico is such a beautiful and diverse place—even the food in the south feels completely different.