Duke University | Baldwin Scholars Program

Karina Santellano

Karina Santellano

"Biographies are not my thing. I'd rather you have you the pleasure of meeting me."

-Quote from Karina Santellano (hahah :) )

 

As I near my third year (I can't believe it! I'm getting old!) at Duke University, I have come to love this university. I have been surrounded by amazing people these past two years. I lived the first 18 years of my life in San Diego, California so coming to Duke was quite a change of scenary for me. Getting used to college and an entire different coast was challenging for sure! Although I miss my palm trees and year round sunshine so incredibly much (just ask my friends how much I talk about San Diego), I belong at Duke. Yes, there are things I would like to change about it and yes, I think about how great it would be to live in other places and whatnot, but Duke has provided me the opportunity to study what I want and to fulfill some of my dreams (like going to Brazil this July!). On campus, I am part of Mi Gente (I am Miss President to you.), Duke's Latino cultural club, the Cardea Fellows, Duke Students for Humane Borders and of course the wonderful Baldwin Scholars.

I am majoring in Sociology, minoring in Chemistry, and getting a certificate in Latino/a Studies in the Global South. As you can see, I am interested in many of life's wonders. I hope to go to a School of Public Health right after college, preferably on the West Coast but I am open to other places. After that, I would like to go to medical school and eventually become a community clinic pediatrician. I love the community. It is my passion. I'd like to one day have my own community/teen clinic in Southern California. 

During my free time, I like to sleep. I also like to run. I like to watch garbage reality television. And I love my friends and family. If you have any questions about the organizations I am a part of or about life in general, feel free to email me at ks251@duke.edu