Marla Gil

My name is Marla Ximena Gil Ramírez. I am 17 years old and I want to study Bioengineering at UABC. The desire to study has always been with me — and not just anything, but something I truly love, something I would enjoy practicing. For me, studying is about effort, knowledge, and passion for your field. That is what I want: to do something out of passion and hard work. I consider studying a privilege.

I know it will be difficult. There are many challenges and obstacles ahead, but I also know I can push through, and that I can walk hand in hand with God. I am genuinely glad to be able to apply for this scholarship, because it would give my studies a real boost.

I am a fairly private person when it comes to talking about myself. I am not very social — I consider myself a bit introverted. I love being alone with my thoughts, listening to music, playing music, or learning a new instrument. Music is my great love, and I enjoy learning about it and its sounds. I also enjoy everything related to art — drawing, film, reading — and I love sports as well.

For me, God and my family are everything. If there is anyone who inspired me to be myself, to grow, to study — it is my family, my parents. I am fortunate to have attentive, loving, and good parents. They were always there for me, and they never needed a perfect grade to tell me they were proud of me. They taught me values and to always be grateful, even in difficult moments. I always knew I was truly lucky, because I had them.

Last year, my family and I went through a very difficult time — my father had an accident. It has been hard; even talking about it is hard. But I can say that God has given me a peace I cannot fully explain. The process is not over yet, but God is faithful and continues to be good.

That is why this scholarship would mean so much to me. It would be a guarantee that I will keep studying and not leave my education unfinished. I am afraid of many things, but I am also at peace knowing that God is with me. With this scholarship, I could cover the expenses of my degree.

For me, finishing a degree is not just about earning a title to be proud of. It is about doing something you fought for — something that was hard, that came with real challenges, but that you accomplished. It is not just about finding a job; it is about everything the career gave you along the way. A teacher once told us that a degree doesn’t give you money — it gives you knowledge, and that is worth more than money, because it is what gives you opportunities and opens doors. Even when things are hard, I have peace that no matter what happens, everything will be alright — because God is with me, and my family continues to support me. I am grateful to God for the chance to apply for this scholarship, and I thank you for this opportunity and for the great help you give to each student in completing their education.