1. Please briefly tell us your name and where are you from
I’m Stephanie Alejandra Fallas Sandi, from San Jose Costa Rica.
2. Please give us a brief background of your education
I studied at the University of Costa Rica first and started with Dentistry but halfway through I quit after discovering Classical Philology.
3. How did you end up at Tsinghua and why the GBJ program?
I went to study in THU 2018 as part of the Government Scholarship program in the Chinese language department. Living in TH taught me a lot of things, and I decided to pursue my master’s in the university. I chose GBJ because it is unique, has an amazing structure and is a good opportunity to learn about China and Asia in general.
4. Who has been your strongest influence in life / What is the driving force behind your success? // Do you have a philosophy you live by?
If I think about one person, it will be my mom, she taught me since I was a little child that hard work and commitment are the key to the success. Working hard even if the circumstances are difficult until the end. My life philosophy is to keep pushing until the end and to not give up.
5. Where do you currently work? What are some of the things you hope to accomplish during your time at GBJ?
I work for a company called INFOSYS BPM, which is an Indian capitalist company. I would like to be a good student, share with others my background and culture, improve in my career and learn more about other cultures, heritages, and societies.
6. Please share with us your passions.
I have a lot of passions, I like to learn and try everything so you will find me in a huge number of activities, right now, I’m into in a Korean boy band so I’m running an international fan base for them. I love animals, I own four pets, two dogs: Capitan and Lucy, one rabbit: Michael and one cat: Tiger. One of my hobbies is reading and painting, dancing and now I’m starting on pottery.
Volunteering is one of my biggest passions. I like to participate in social movements and stand up for my ideas and beliefs.
7. Now that you are not yet on campus what is your typical day like? What are some of your likes and dislikes?
Well, I start my day at 6:00 AM with my job, I have a full-time job so after ending my shift I check my homework and lectures, prepare myself for the classes and rest a while. On weekends, I study and go out for coffee or dinner with my friends or alone. I like to go to the coffee shop and drink alone while I watch people moving around. I like being at home, but I think being at school would be better. I do not like that inequality that the pandemic gives us, online classes are never going to be like face-to-face classes.
8. If you were to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Bossy, extrovert and capable. Sincerely, sometimes I am bossy, I think it is a good characteristic. The last two you will see them for yourself.
9. Do you have any words of motivation for young women in developing countries as they try to integrate into the media industry?
Always be original, true to your beliefs and dreams, difficult situations and circumstances are nothing if you are determined. You can achieve anything, so giving up is never an option. Above all, believe in yourself, no matter what others think about you, at the end of the day only you know your abilities.