Student Profile: Maria Alejandra Trujillo Zapata
Pictured is Maria Trujillo Zapata of Colombia. Photo by: Ann Shelley
By Ann Shelley // Staff Writer
Most students could not imagine moving to a new country at only 14-years-old, but not High Point University senior Maria Alejandra Trujillo Zapata.
Zapata is from the valley city of Medellin, Colombia and grew up there with her grandparents, who encouraged her to pursue the opportunity and whom she was sad to leave. She first moved to Miami, Florida to start high school and live for the first time with her mother and her new father.
“It was very overwhelming,” Zapata said. “I was immersed in a whole new culture with different people that I wasn’t used to.”
She and her mother later moved to Charlotte, NC. She was and still is very driven in her studies, quickly learning English to become a better student.
“My priority has always been my studies so that I can achieve success and get somewhere,” Zapata said.
Although at first Zapata wasn’t doing as well as she wished in her new high school, by her junior and senior year she was successful in AP classes.
Zapata is a biology major on a pre-med track with a psychology minor. She is the first member of her family to go to college at all, let alone in another country.
Her favorite class so far has been molecular biology.
“My favorite part about attending HPU is how helpful the professors all are,” Zapata said. “Dr. Segarra has really helped me with my major.”
Zapata is involved in many clubs on campus including the International Club, Tutor Club, Biology Club and PA club.
“I thought HPU was going to be the best fit for me, the teachers are very specialized to their subjects and the small class sizes are nice,” Zapata said.
When talking about her first visit here, she explained feeling like she was home. Zapata turned to her mom and said, “This is it Mom, this is my school.”