"When I look up at the night sky, and I know that, yes, we are part of this universe, we are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts is that the universe is in us...There's a level of connectivity, that's really what you want in life. You want to feel connected. You want to feel relevant. You want to feel like you're a participant in the goings on of activities and events around you. That's precisely what we are, just by being human."

-Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson

My name is Marina Konstantinovic, I am a senior at Loyola University Chicago, majoring in Biology and Spanish, with a minor in Philosophy. I am from Oak Brook, IL and have lived in the Chicago area my entire life. I hope to become a doctor in the future; however, I also plan to do non-profit work before dedicating myself to medical school. 

Centro Romero is important to me because I believe that everyone should have the ability to make choices, pursue their dreams, and have the opportunity to create the life that they want. A major factor that affects this is one's ability to communicate within his/her society. Teaching english to immigrants is a way that helps make this possible. I strongly believe that simply being able to speak the language allows immigrants to really apply themselves. A language barrier will no longer exist, which automatically creates so many more opportunities to succeed.

I chose to work with primarily Spanish speakers because I have been studying Spanish for nearly 14 years. Not only have I learned the language, but I am also familiar with the different cultures and traditions from Central and South America. This allows me to communicate with the students on a much more intimate level and really help them succeed. I also plan to work with Doctors Without Borders in the future, and working at Centro Romero has helped me prepare for such a cultural immersion. I am currently involved with a student organization at Loyola called GlobeMed, which is partnered with a health care clinic in Ecuador and works on developing sustainable health care projects for the surrounding communities. I really believe in the freedom to exercise one's rights, and whether it's the right to be healthy, educated, or successful, I hope to be a part of the movement that helps individuals make these rights a reality.