With the beginning of the Autumn Quarter, new students have arrived at the University of Chicago, bringing a range of backgrounds and aspirations to campus. The university welcomed undergraduates from various cities and countries, each with unique stories and ambitions.
Among them is Rebeca Branco, a transfer student originally from Curitiba, Brazil. Branco first studied at Emory University before transferring to UChicago to major in economics. Reflecting on her decision, Branco said: “I really loved my previous institution, but when I wrote my transfer essay, I struggled to contain my excitement about UChicago to a couple hundred words. I wanted to come here to foster my love of learning but to also have the kind of community where I can ask questions about different subjects and get responses from incredibly passionate and intelligent people.”
Branco was the first in her family to pursue higher education abroad. She explained: “Growing up, I always knew I'd pursue a slightly different path. No one in my family had considered academia at a foreign institution. I went back and forth between studying economics or medicine, but once I made my decision, I knew UChicago was the right place for me.” Earlier this year, she co-founded “Humanas,” a project that involves senior citizens making handmade dolls for orphaned girls in Brazil. Branco shared: “There are a lot of orphanages in Brazil, and the girls there grow up without mother or grandmother figures. There is also a sizable number of elderly women that wish they could contribute more to their community but aren’t given the chance. We wanted to find a way that we could give them a purpose while helping young girls create that missing bond of sharing in a kind of love.” She hopes to connect her interests in economics and social impact through campus organizations.
Carleigh Hughes comes from Mount Juliet, Tennessee. She chose UChicago partly for its urban setting and strong academic programs in political science and economics. Hughes noted: “It will be a nice change of scenery. But I also want to go into political science or economics as a career, and I know that UChicago is a very strong academic institution for those specific majors. However, I’ve always been a little bit indecisive about what I want to study, and the Core will still allow me to dive into other things.” Hughes values open-mindedness and free expression: “I’ve always tried to keep an open mind and that has allowed me to be exposed to so many different ideas,” she said.
Looking ahead, Hughes wants her education at UChicago to help her inform others about diverse perspectives: “I hope to gain an education that I can use to help educate other people and expose them to new ideas,” she said. She is eager both for Chicago’s food scene and building meaningful relationships during her time at college.
Julia Marden brings experience from serving four years on the USS Georgia submarine as part of the U.S. Navy after growing up across several countries including Malaysia and India. Now settling in Hyde Park, Marden recalled being inspired by UChicago since childhood due in part to her father’s connection as an alumnus: “My dad went to UChicago for his undergraduate studies and when I was 12, we got a magazine in the mail,” Marden said.
Marden plans on focusing on climate studies with interest in renewable energy policy or advocacy: “I could definitely see myself going into policy or advocacy around climate change and sustainability,” she said. Adjusting from military life’s routines will be new for Marden; however, she looks forward to exploring city activities such as kayaking on the river or attending performances like those at Joffrey Ballet.
Beren Tur came from Istanbul seeking opportunities available through an American liberal arts education combined with research prospects: “I wanted to go to college in the United States because of the opportunities that it gave me,” Tur said. He appreciated UChicago’s Core curriculum for offering breadth across disciplines like literature or philosophy.
Tur has prior research experience through specialized programs in Turkey where he assisted professors’ labs as well as participating in Science Olympiad competitions; he also looks forward not only toward academic pursuits but joining groups such as tabletop gaming clubs while building connections among peers interested in similar fields.
William Yee grew up in New York City but became familiar with UChicago through its Summer Session program focused on paleontology—a field he may continue alongside interests ranging from geological sciences or economics thanks again partly due its flexible curriculum structure known as The Core.
Yee’s extracurricular interests include rock climbing, ultimate frisbee, birding, terrarium-building along with advocacy work related both Asian identity issues plus food allergy awareness stemming from personal family experiences: “My younger brother has food allergies and I really wanted to help out in that area,” Yee explained.
As these students begin their journeys at University of Chicago they share common goals—pursuing knowledge across multiple disciplines while forming supportive communities throughout their college careers.