Hi! My name is Emily Hwang, I am the project leader for Pitt Nourish International 2015 trip to Guatemala! I just finished my sophomore year and am pursuing a major in Economics and looking to get a minor possibly in Studio Arts and get a certificate in Global Studies with a concentration in Latin American Global Governance and Economy. Whew! My hometown is in Yardley, PA–it’s a beautiful small town next to the Delaware River. I am extremely excited for Guatemala, mostly because I have a strong passion towards Latin America and really want to immerse myself in the Guatemalan culture. I am really excited to see the impact we make in San Juan de Laguna with Maya Traditions and to meet some great locals! Vamonos a Guatemala!
Hi, my name is Maris Altieri and I am an upcoming junior at the University of Pittsburgh studying nutrition in hopes of becoming a registered dietitian. You can find me constantly out and about, whether it’s running around with my yoga mat or scoping out the local farmers markets. I center my life around using real food (local, fair trade, organic, and ecologically sound) as medicine to heal the mind and body. With a passion for holistic remedies, I feel honored to work with the Mayan healers in order help the lives of Lake Atitlán locals and I look forward to expanding my knowledge about herbal medicine in order to naturally treat Americans in my future career.
My name is Julianna Goldring and I’m an Urban Studies major pursuing certificates in Latin American Studies and Public Professional Writing. I’m a sophomore here at Pitt and I’m originally from Boston, Mass. I’m most excited to get back to Latin America as it’s my favorite part of the world (I lived in Nicaragua and Costa Rica for 4 months before). A fun fact is…. I have a baby nephew who is 11 months old and the light of my life, his name is Desmond.
My name is Christina. I will be a junior at the University of Pittsburgh in the fall. I come from Upstate New York. This is my third trip abroad. My major is English Literature, but I hope to attend medical school in the future. I am an outdoor enthusiast and eager to venture to this part of the world. I’m excited to meet the Mayan Traditions’ team and the people of Guatemala. I am looking forward to our immersion into the rich Guatemalan culture and I am hopeful that our journey will yield real results and a continued partnership between our school and the people we visit.
My name is Brianna Wilkins. I am an environmental studies major at the University of Pittsburgh, where I recently completed my sophomore year. My hometown is Springfield, Illinois. I wanted to take part in the University of Pittsburgh’s chapter of Nourish International’s project in Guatemala because I am interested in international medicine and public healthcare. One of the primary goals of the project is to increase access to medical care by spreading knowledge about traditional Mayan medical practices, so this is an amazing opportunity. I am excited that our team will get to not only shadow the Mayan medicine men but also help them with treating patients.