Olivia Lowden ’19 has had many exceptional opportunities to learn during her time at Dickinson\u2014in class; on the track; in the lab, where she conducted three original-research projects with professors; through internships with orthopedic and neurology clinics; and as a study-abroad student in Spain. She also had an opportunity to combine what she learned in both of her majors out in the field, providing Spanish translation services for medical staff treating migrant workers. But it was her experiences as a volunteer with the Spanish Red Cross, the summer after her study-abroad experience, that most dramatically brought what she was learning in class into sharp\u00a0focus. “This was by far the experience that I learned the most from, because I was interacting with patients in Spanish who suffered from a brain disorder that I had studied in my class, Brain and Behavior, at Dickinson,” she says.<\/em><\/p>\n Hometown:<\/strong><\/p>\n Reno, Nevada<\/p>\n Majors<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Neuroscience<\/a>and Spanish<\/a>.<\/p>\n Clubs and organizations<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Neuroscience department (student-faculty research<\/a>), cross country<\/a>and track and Eco-Reps.<\/a><\/p>\n Honors\/scholarships\/awards:<\/strong><\/p>\n Dean\u2019s List, Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll, John Joseph Memorial Scholarship at Choate Rosemary Hall.<\/p>\n Favorite book:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Secret Life of Bees <\/em>by Sue Monk Kidd.<\/p>\n Favorite movie:<\/strong><\/p>\n Mamma Mia.<\/em><\/p>\n On choosing Dickinson:<\/strong><\/p>\n I decided to attend Dickinson because of the strong neuroscience program and running team. I knew that I wanted to attend a school where I could feel close to my professors<\/a>and be challenged academically while still having the opportunity to participate on a cross country<\/a>and track<\/a>team. Dickinson\u2019s abroad programs<\/a>and focus on sustainability<\/a>were also very appealing to me.<\/p>\n Favorite place on campus:<\/strong><\/p>\n The cafeteria in the morning or the Rector atrium.<\/p>\n Favorite Dining Hall food<\/strong>:<\/p>\n California club sub or red velvet cupcake.<\/p>\n Favorite class:<\/strong><\/p>\n [Lecturer in Spanish] Asuncion Arnedo-Aldrich<\/a>\u2019s Spanish for the Health Professions, which I took during the fall of my sophomore year. In this course, we learned how to translate medical information for migrant farmworkers in Pennsylvania. We would travel with nurses from Keystone Clinic once a week to seek out migrant farmworkers who were in need of medical attention. This class really helped me bridge the gap between my two majors and pushed me to look for more opportunities to continue doing so.<\/p>\n Little-known hobby\/talent:<\/strong><\/p>\n I play the harp.<\/p>\n Favorite professor:<\/strong><\/p>\n [Professor of Psychology]\u00a0Teresa Barber<\/a>, who is also one of my advisors. She has helped me make so many decisions during my time at Dickinson and has also taught me so much in her classes, Brain and Behavior\u00a0and Research Methods in Biological Psychology. <\/em>Whenever I\u2019m feeling doubtful or stressed, she always tells me, \u201cYou are going to be fine,<\/em>\u201d and has made me realize that career paths are often more rewarding if they are not overly calculated or linear. She has been a part of so manyinteresting studies<\/a>\u00a0and has had a very successful career as a researcher, which is inspiring to all of her students. Her door is always open (with candy outside), and she always has a way of putting things in perspective.<\/p>\n If I could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, it would be \u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2026 the Queen of England. She is the only person in the world who can travel without a passport, and I think she would have some amazing stories.<\/p>\n On studying abroad:<\/strong><\/p>\n During the spring of my junior year, I studied abroad in M\u00e1laga, Spain<\/a>. Looking back, this is one of the best decisions I made in college, because it helped me look at my life in a completely different way. I could not believe how much my Spanish improved and how in-tune I felt with the Spanish culture by the time the program ended. I was so happy in M\u00e1laga that I decided to stay during the summer and work at an Alzheimer\u2019s day center with the Red Cross. I met so many fascinating people in Spain who made me feel like I was part of the community, which was the highlight of my experience.<\/p>\n