From Sri Lanka to Sweden, Andrea Calderón '19 is driving sustainable change

It’s safe to say that Andrea Calderón ’19 keeps busy. Whether she’s presenting research in Sri Lanka or headed to class on campus, Andrea stays focused and gives everything her all. Her best advice is to “give 200% at anything and everything you do, especially when it comes to your education.”

Read our Q&A with Andrea to find out more about her experience at St. Edward’s University and her plans after graduation.

What inspired you to study Environmental Science and Policy?
I was first intrigued by environmental science during my freshman year of college, in my freshman studies course, Transformations in Latin America. This class was taught by my mentor, Dr. Peter Beck, and Dr. Nunes. It was my first time learning about the social and environmental impacts of global warming, and I was super captivated by the concepts we were covering in class. I’m just amazed at how integrated communities and the environment are into one another. I want people to understand how connected the environment and societies are because it drives me crazy that we treat them as separate entities. What have been some of your favorite courses?
I really enjoyed my Transformations in Latin America class because my professors were really great, and also because of the concepts we were covering. If it were up to me, all students would be required to take an environmental education course. Currently, I am taking a Business class on Corporate Social Responsibility taught by Professor Linus Akanoh, and it’s easily becoming one of my favorite classes. I think it’s instinctive to perceive business and the environment as natural enemies. However, I see so much potential for them to have a positive symbiotic relationship, and this class gives me hope that the business world is evolving to become more than just profit-driven.

Your internships have taken you all over the world! How have they shaped your career path?
My interests are constantly evolving. I came into college wanting to explore different fields because I wasn’t sure what career I wanted to pursue. In fact, I feel as if my entire undergraduate career has been a journey of self-discovery. Traveling has been critical to this journey and to my personal development. Through St. Edwards, I’ve been able to study in Cape Town, South Africa, San José, Costa Rica, and Townsville, Australia. I also took a year off before entering college and was a Rotary Ambassador, which gave me the opportunity to live in Lecco, Italy for the entirety of the year. I also had the opportunity to present a short essay I wrote on the process of Carbon Removal during my Sophomore year in Gothenburg, Sweden, and this past semester I was able to present my McNair Research paper at the International Conference on Poverty and Sustainable Development in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

I’ve purposefully sought out very different internships throughout my undergraduate career because there are many topics I’m passionate about. Each has been a learning experience in different ways. However, one of my favorites was this past Fall 2018 in Washington, D.C. when I interned in the office of Representative Raúl Grijalva with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Program. In D.C. I was able to use some of the information I used for my McNair Research on an op-ed I wrote about fast fashion. I really enjoyed this assignment!

You just got accepted into the PPIA Junior Summer Institute Fellowship Program for 2019. Can you tell us more about the fellowship and why you applied?
The Junior Summer Institute at Princeton University is an opportunity for students who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Public Policy or Public Affairs. I’ll be at Princeton University for the summer taking courses in quantitative methods, economics for policy analysis, policy writing and analysis, and there is a policy workshop component. I will also be doing research on a domestic or international issue of my choosing and presenting my report at the end of the summer. I applied to this program because it will prepare me for graduate school, and also because I’ll have the opportunity to meet students who share similar interest as myself in the public service.

Any advice for current students?
Give 200% at anything and everything you do, especially when it comes to your education. We are so extremely privileged to have access to a higher and good quality education that it’s a shame to let it go to waste by giving a half-effort. I would also advise people to live consciously to the privilege they have beyond having access to an education, and to use that privilege to help enable others to help themselves in any way they can!

Get in touch with Andrea Calderón ’19
B.S. Environmental Science and Policy
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