In high school, Marian Pérez Pizarro (Class of 2027, Costa Rica) was preparing to study medicine when she took a career aptitude test that pointed her towards Agricultural Sciences. Initially surprised by the results, Marian realized that she was often subconsciously drawn to agriculture in her studies, choosing to research animals, crops, and the environment when selecting a topic for a project. Her family members are farmers, and from a young age Marian had contact with agriculture, often accompanying her family to the field. Her father told her about EARTH and encouraged her to apply. Marian called a friend who was studying at the University and learning about his positive experience solidified her decision to apply. After being accepted to EARTH and receiving a full scholarship from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Marian’s passion for agriculture has become even clearer. She has approached her experience with the goal of learning as much as possible about the subject so that she can impact lives, a mindset she carries with her as she prepares to embark on her third-year Professional Internship.
Marian describes herself as a very versatile person; she likes to know a little bit about everything. Throughout her hands-on experiences at EARTH, she’s had a chance to work on projects that have deepened her knowledge in food processing, soils, and livestock farming. She appreciates how the EARTH model has allowed her to see that she can do many different things. Marian recounts the projects she has worked on while at the University. With funding and technical support from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF) at EARTH, Marian and her father are working on developing silage from various types of crops to be used in livestock feed. Additionally, through the Business Project course, Marian was part of Popsicool, an ice cream business that deepened her knowledge of food processing and entrepreneurship. In her Soil Science course, Marian examined the soils of her hometown of Sarapiquí, applying what she learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios. After graduation, Marian plans to apply the diverse knowledge and experience she is gaining at EARTH to develop agricultural solutions in her home community. “EARTH has brought out the best in me. It’s allowed me to see what I’m capable of, especially as a woman in agriculture,” she says.
From August to December, as part of the third-year curriculum at EARTH, Marian will complete a 15-week Professional Internship working as a laboratory assistant in the Plant Pathology Department at the Federal University of Viçosa in Minas, Brazil. While working as a research assistant for a professor, Marian will also take courses in Plant Pathology. Her interest in the subject stems from her coursework at EARTH, and through her Internship, Marian hopes to learn more about the institution’s three main research areas in plant pathology: etiology, epidemiology, and control of plant diseases.
Marian’s Internship in Brazil is also the first time she has left Costa Rica. At EARTH, she has had the privilege of meeting people and learning about cultures from all over the world. She is excited to be immersed in a new country and to embrace the challenges that come along with the experience. While in Brazil, Marian hopes to not only learn professionally, but also to deepen her cultural knowledge and learn to speak Portuguese. While somewhat nervous to go alone, Marian, who is the first in her family to attend university, is excited for this adventure and feels proud to be charting her own path and taking advantage of opportunities to learn in immersive ways.
Looking to the future, Marian hopes to utilize the knowledge and skills she is gaining at EARTH to generate employment and opportunities in her home community. Marian’s family, who she describes as very hardworking, inspires her to continue learning and to never shy away from new opportunities.
