Fridah

Since I was little, I’ve loved creating things—whether it was through sports, theater, or painting backdrops for school plays. Over time, that creativity led me to architecture, a field where I can bring design, sustainability, and community impact together.

I’ve been accepted to ITESO University in Guadalajara, a school that truly reflects my values of innovation and environmental care. Studying there would allow me to specialize in architecture and interior design and eventually build my own firm—one that creates beautiful, sustainable spaces that give back to places like Los Cabos.

My parents have always supported me, but with rising costs and a younger brother who’s also heading to college soon, it’s hard for them to manage everything. That’s why I’m seeking support from the Monarch Effect Foundation—to make this dream real. I’m ready to take on this next chapter, and in return, I want to give back by mentoring future students, helping grow the MEF community, and working on projects that preserve the home I love.

STORY

Summer 2025

This summer was full of changes. In July, while I was enjoying my last days in Los Cabos spending time with friends and soaking up the sun, the beach, and the ocean every day, I was also getting everything ready for my big move—something I had never done before! I felt nervous and scared, but at the same time, I was super excited to begin this new stage of my life. Almost the entire month of July I dedicated to preparing for an English exam I had to take for university. Thanks to my previous studies in high school it wasn’t too difficult, and I managed to achieve a perfect score of 8/8 on the university’s grading scale. I also spent time reading two books this summer: Atomic Habits and The Call to Courage: The Four Stoic Virtues.

August arrived, and each day felt like a countdown… I only had 10 days left in Los Cabos! Between packing my whole life into two suitcases and completing all the paperwork, that time flew by. When I got to Guadalajara, I submitted my documents and had a real moment of realization: surrounded by so many new people, without my parents and without any familiar faces, it felt like I was starting to write in a blank book. Before classes began, I went out with my family to explore the city. We visited the zoo, where I got to go “behind the scenes” and see some sick animals up close. Then we went to an aquarium where I got into a cage to observe sharks face-to-face. We also visited downtown Guadalajara, where I was especially impressed by the Cathedral and the Degollado Theater, as well as the architecture that so beautifully reflects the city’s culture.

My first day of classes came, and I met so many new classmates and professors. It’s only been a week, but the time has flown by between buying materials and working on line drawings and designs. I’ve been fascinated by everything so far: I love that there’s more practice than theory. On Thursday, August 14, we were assigned to measure buildings on campus and then build a scale model to test on an earthquake simulation table to see how the structures would break apart. On Friday, August 15, I became the captain of a team for one of my classes, where I’m responsible for making sure my group works in the best possible way. It’s been an intense week, but also an incredible and exciting one.

June 2025

A part of me suddenly stays behind as a new one appears right before me. June has been a crazy month with all types of emotions; since I graduated from high school, I am excited to start a new chapter of my life. I am heading towards Guadalajara, Mexico, to ITESO University. I am beyond happy to take advantage of this opportunity that has been given to me. Since an early age, my family and I have always been involved in environmental care and protection, and going to ITESO means carrying this passion for environmental protection into university life, because the university´s values align with mine. I have always been curious how entering a space, its textures, colors, and decorations, can make you feel so many different ways. That’s why I decided to study architecture and later specialize in interior design. Even though there’s fear in leaving my home, my family, and everything familiar behind, I feel confident on facing the upcoming challenges.