Mabuhay! My name is Jennifer Kate Valencia and I am a junior Chemistry student at Loyola University Maryland. As some of you might know, I will be traveling to the Philippines this summer. The purpose of this trip is to "experience first-hand the daily healthcare challenges faced by “barangays” or villages, on remote islands" in the province of Quezon. This trip is especially meaningful to me because I will be immersed in the culture of my family. After the 5-week program, I will be visiting my family in Unisan, Quezon for the remainder of the summer. Although I will not have consistent wifi connection, I will publish my experiences and reflections here as much as possible. 

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I would like to thank Loyola University Maryland's National Fellowships Office for selecting me for The Jennings Family International Summer Research Scholarship, which will fully fund my trip. I am looking forward to meeting and thanking both Larry E. Jennings Jr. and Katherine Jennings when I return. Lastly, I would like to thank Dr. Maiju Lehmijoki-Gardner for helping me piece together this trip and making it a reality. 

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Sa Uulitin! Bye!