Lavender Robinson (Spain, 2024-25)

Lavender Robinson (she/they) is a Spanish major from the UC Irvine who is studying at the Universitat de Barcelona for the 2024-2025 academic year. Lavender is a military kid who grew up mainly in the state of Maryland, lived in London for a short time in their younger years, and made many trips to Europe during her childhood. Learning languages and kinetically exploring the cultures constantly changing around her, Lavender always has had a knack for expanding their worldview and perspectives through outward cultural involvement, understanding, and study. Studying abroad in Spain is a dream for Lavender that she is excited to fulfill. She knows that her experience will allow her to grow in several ways alongside her academic endeavors. Their passions and drive are fueled by the quote: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

Miguel Ambriz Valdovinos (Spain, 2024-25)

Miguel Ambriz Valdovinos is a Social Welfare major at the UC Berkeley studying at Complutense University of Madrid for the 2024-25 academic year. Miguel was born and raised by a single father in San Jose, California. As the first in his family to attend university, Miguel's educational pursuits are driven by a commitment to personal and professional growth. His time in Madrid will help to advance his proficiency in Spanish, a crucial skill for his future career in social work and nonprofit fundraising. Motivated by his mother's dream of traveling to "las Europas," Miguel views his study abroad experience as a heartfelt tribute to her memory. He is committed to making the most of this opportunity to study abroad for a full academic year to integrate into the local culture, build lasting connections, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the Spanish education system and social dynamics. Miguel's journey is not only about academic and professional development but also about personal growth. He looks forward to the independence and resilience that will come from living abroad. He believes this experience will undoubtedly shape his future, providing clarity on his aspirations and laying the foundation for a fulfilling and purposeful career serving Hispanic communities. He is eager to explore the peninsula and deepen his connection to his Hispanic heritage, Catholic faith, and identity as a first-generation college student. Miguel writes, “I enjoy being able to speak my mother tongue here. I like not having to say my name differently or to spell it out letter by letter, which always feels like a small but constant adjustment back home.”

Victor Jimenez Alba (Japan, 2024-25)

Victor Jimenez Alba is a Computer Science and Engineering major at UC Merced who is studying abroad at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan. Victor was born and raised in Escondido, California where he learned an appreciation for Japanese culture from his mother. At Keio University, he hopes the courses he takes will advance his knowledge of computer science. He plans to evaluate graduate programs both at Keio and in other parts of Japan. At Keio, Victor is enrolled in a Japanese art of humor class with fellow Borton Scholars Saha Kumar and Lesa Ritchie. He writes, “Life here in Japan has been extemely enjoyable and refreshing. I feel a lot more excited to attend class because I feel the classes are a lot more personal.”

Saha Kumar (Japan, 2024-25)

Saha Kumar is a Japanese Studies major and Political Science minor at UC San Diego studying at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan. From a very young age, Saha had a passion for foreign language studies and especially the Japanese language and culture. Saha deeply treasures the learning of foreign languages, placing high value on communicating and connecting with people. She aspires to contribute to the field of international relations, especially as it relates to U.S.-Japan diplomacy, and looks forward to studying Japanese foreign policy while at Keio University. She aims to achieve JLPT N1 level fluency by her return to the United States in August 2025. Additionally, Saha has a niche, vivid passion for the art of Japanese swordsmithing. She is currently writing a thesis on the poetic significance of swords in classical Japanese literature, which she aspires to publish in a research journal prior to graduation. Saha is very excited to experience the Sapporo snow festival, visit sword-history-rich sites like Hakone, and explore the beautiful Japanese countryside. Saha writes, “One of my favorite experiences so far was attending a Japanese organized Indian Diwali (festival of lights) festival in Yokohama. Japanese people performed classical Indian dance such as Bhangra, played the thabla, spoke Hindi and Japanese interchangeably, and explained the story of Diwali. I was hugely moved to see people have so much joy and passion in celebrating my culture and languages, the same way I was passionate about theirs.”

Genevieve Riley (Spain, 2024-25)

Genevieve Riley is a Linguistics major at UC San Diego studying abroad at the University of Barcelona, Spain. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, she first became fascinated with language when she began studying Spanish in high school and listening to music in a variety of languages. When the pandemic hit and her high school transitioned to remote learning, she took the opportunity to learn the writing systems of some of the languages that interested her the most. In her bedroom, while completing her sophomore and junior years remotely, she self-studied the orthographies of Arabic, Russian, and Thai. Having become the most proficient in Spanish over the years, she chose to study in Barcelona. Genevieve writes, "What I'm most excited about is living in a dormitory with other international students. We'll get to learn about each other's cultures while sharing the experience of being in this bustling and multilingual city for the first time." With plans to be a speech-language pathologist, Genevieve is looking forward to broadening her awareness of both the commonalities and differences between people from various countries, and approaching those differences with cultural humility. Genevieve is studying Spanish, Catalan, and Irish literature in Barcelona during her first term.

Eliza Parungao (Japan, 2024-25)

Eliza Parungao is a second-year International Studies Major at UC Irvine studying abroad at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. She was born in Irvine and raised in San Jose, California. Eliza is committed to bridging cross-cultural gaps, particularly with international and/or English language learner students in the United States. For the past year, Eliza has worked as an English conversation partner under one of UCI’s exchange programs. Her time in this role gave her the unique opportunity to interact with Japanese students of the same age; she used this position to grow her students’ confidence in English and make new friends. As the first person in her family to go abroad, Eliza is thrilled to attend Waseda University for the entirety of her third year of university. She is most excited to rekindle friendships with the Japanese students she met during her time at UCI, and to go cafe-hopping.

Erin Moore (Japan, 2024-25)

Erin Moore is a fourth year International Business major with a minor in Japanese Studies at UC San Diego studying abroad at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. Her grandparents greatly influenced her decision to study abroad, and she is eager to connect with her Japanese heritage. Erin is looking forward to reconnecting with friends she met during a two-week exchange program in 2019, including her homestay family, who has continuously been supportive and even taken trips to visit her in California. Erin’s hobbies include film photography as well as collecting records of her favorite artists. Erin has been actively involved in the Nikkei Student Union (NSU), a Japanese American social-cultural club at UC San Diego, where she has taken on various leadership positions and connected with her Japanese roots. Erin writes that she is “excited to interact with diverse people and make friends from all around the world in my classes as well as through various clubs. I hope to challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone and take advantage of my time abroad by trying new things and seeking new experiences.” In Tokyo, Erin has become friends with fellow Borton Scholar Eliza Parungao and they are exploring the city together.

Lesa Ritchie (Japan, 2024-25)

Lesa Ritchie is a double major in Japanese Studies and History, with a minor in Education Studies at UC San Diego studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan at Keio University. Born and raised in San Diego, she was able to take Japanese classes at her high school, inspiring her to become a Japanese language high school teacher. She enjoys taking on leadership positions such as Japanese National Honors Society, captain of the UCSD club tennis team, and being active in the Education Studies Association at UCSD. Lesa says, “Being eager to gain cultural experiences and opportunities to advance my Japanese is what will help me become an authentic secondary Japanese world language teacher.” Lesa loves competing in tennis and pickleball, and is hoping to continue abroad, along with picking up other hobbies in Japan as well.