The eighth StudyPortals Scholarship beneficiary

Daniella Laplanteová is the eighth beneficiary of the 1,000 € Scholarship, which is awarded by StudyPortals every quarter. She is from the Czech Republic and has been selected from over 300 applicants to receive the scholarship, awarded in the second quarter of 2015. She impressed us with her determination to become a great physician and an amazing drive to serve others. She is not only incredibly passionate about her studies, but also has a very kind heart – a combination that will make her a great professional soon enough.

Daniella is currently majoring in Biomedical Sciences at Northern Arizona University in the USA, while her minor is in Modern Languages (focus on Spanish).

She has shared with us what her motivation for studying abroad was and how she overcame the challenges faced during her journey:

“I have always been interested in foreign cultures and the lives of people in different parts of the world, and globalization is making it even more important to understand and accept people from different cultures. It is for this reason that I chose the take the hard road, and change my life by studying abroad.

Along the way from first completing my application, to preparing to depart, and getting used to a new place and culture, I have faced many challenges. I have not only discovered that I have the strength to deal with new situations, but also that my family, friends, and professional contacts have been invaluable in helping me along my journey. I would like to thank all of them as well as StudyPortals for believing in me and my dream to learn about the world and make it a better place.”

She also told us where the interest for human medicine originates and why she chose to move across the world, all the way to Arizoina, to pursue her passion:

“My interest in studying at Northern Arizona University was sparked by the presence of the Center for Microbial Genetics and Genomics at the campus. It is a research facility that investigates disease outbreaks, performs genetic research, and studies disease vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks. In my teenage years, I underwent physical and psychological trauma caused by Lyme disease. This experience guided me on a journey of medical research to save other’s lives and improve public health.”

Daniella is very happy she has been granted the StudyPortals scholarship, since it enables her to get one step closer to joining the team of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders):

“I am dedicated to my goal to serve others and develop a career that supports social justice while providing access to medical care for all people in need. StudyPortals is allowing me to focus on my class material more completely as well as learn more about the people and cultures around me, both of which will ultimately make me a better physician when I graduate; for that I have immense gratitude.”

Congratulations, Daniella! We wish you all the best in your studies and we hope your story will inspire others to also choose (for) education. Your story is not only impressive, but a real example that true passion is the key to success!