STORY: From Three Continents to One Global Perspective: Camilo Cuartas-Lopera ’26 Reflects on Study Abroad and the Gilman Scholarship
For Camilo Cuartas-Lopera ’26, studying abroad wasn’t just about seeing the world but about understanding it.
Thanks to the prestigious Gilman Scholarship, Camilo spent a semester in a unique multi-country program exploring the global impacts of climate change. For one semester, he lived and studied in Morocco, Nepal, and Ecuador, three vastly different countries, each facing shared environmental challenges.
“I was excited for the opportunity to go abroad in three countries and be in each for a shorter time,” Camilo said. “Since the focus of my program was climate change, being able to study that in very different contexts helped me get a better picture of the issue on a global scale.”
Camilo’s program combines immersive coursework with on-the-ground experiences. He took four traveling courses, including environmental science, economics, anthropology, and a class on the food-water-energy nexus. His favorite? The anthropology-focused research seminar, where he was able to connect class discussions with personal interests. “At the end of the course, I wrote a comparative research paper connecting climate change to one of my favorite hobbies—basketball.”
Throughout the semester, Camilo learned from various voices: local professionals, guest speakers, professors, and his homestay families. “We had lots of insightful conversations that were so different from what I’m used to at school,” he shared.
Some of the most powerful moments came outside the classroom. In each country, the program ended with a farewell dinner, a celebration with students, faculty, and homestay families. “During our Nepal dinner, my homestay sister, my roommate, and I surprised everyone by performing a dance we choreographed the day before,” Camilo recalled. “There was so much music, laughter, and community—it was by far one of my favorite memories.”
Camilo Cuartas-Lopera ’26 visiting Sikles while in his study abroad program.
The experience reshaped Camilo’s outlook, not just on the world, but on his own future.
“Studying abroad made me realize how I can combine my engineering background with climate change, something I care even more deeply about now,” he said. “Through site visits and conversations with professionals, I saw a clearer path toward becoming an engineer who works on climate-focused solutions.”
Receiving the Gilman Scholarship was key to making this experience possible. Camilo encourages other Pell-eligible students to apply for the award and not to go it alone. “I got so much support from past scholars who reviewed my essays and shared their experiences. Don’t be afraid to ask all the seemingly silly questions. That help gave me the confidence to take this life-changing leap.”
Camilo returned to Olin with new perspectives, more profound empathy, and a broader sense of purpose, proof that studying abroad isn’t just a semester away. It’s a step toward becoming a globally minded engineer and a more informed global citizen.
Camilo visiting Kathmandu while in his study abroad program.