MEET ERIC: How My Ecuador Experience Shaped My Impact

Alumni profile: Eric Saavedra

Born to immigrant parents, Eric describes himself as more or less your typical first-generation American high school student in 2018. He was enrolled in AP classes, competitively played sports, and was working toward college—all while being acutely aware of the sacrifices his parents were making to keep a roof over their heads and provide for their family.

At the time, the future felt incredibly vague, with the only road on the horizon being the idea that “I need to go to college.” What would he do there? He was still unsure.

During his junior year, Eric was nominated for and made the thoughtful decision to enroll in a Global Glimpse program in Ecuador. 

He was nervous but knew the program would be a great way to push his comfort zones. The experiences he had were monumental in many ways, but none more so than coming home with the understanding that he wanted to take control of his life by truly making an impact on the lives of others through his professional work.

What was the most powerful moment from your Global Glimpse experience and why?

My Community Action Project (CAP) was with a remote indigenous village and took place over three days with a focus on three unique projects. Being able to see the projects come to fruition was incredibly impactful as it gave me the insight of change being possible if given the right tools. 

Also, my time as a teacher continues to stand out because we were given the opportunity to speak directly with kids from an entirely different culture and mindset. Even across languages they could ask questions and we could answer them and create connections. Seeing how much hope and aspiration they had transferred to me pretty easily.

How did those moments impact your decision to study Mechanical Engineering?

Seeing how a group of high schoolers, without any professional experience, could make a meaningful impact on a community 4,000 miles away shattered the mental glass ceiling of what I thought was possible for my future. It made me reflect deeply on what career would equip me with the best arsenal of tools to tackle real-world issues, and that’s how I found myself drawn to mechanical engineering.

What interested you in joining Engineers Without Borders Club and participating in the Navajo Water Project?

My greatest desire when entering college was to use engineering for the benefit of humanity. Through Engineers Without Borders, I joined the Navajo Water Project, where a team from UCLA and I were able to directly apply what we were learning in the classroom to provide a family in the Navajo Nation with access to clean water. I felt like this opportunity was a great fit both personally and professionally toward fueling these desires.

What was the most meaningful aspect of your work with the Navajo Water Project?

As a sophomore in 2020, I felt like I was at my peak. However, when we were forced to isolate ourselves at home and switch to online learning due to COVID-19, I began to lose sight of my purpose and my hope of making an impact in the world. Taking part in the Navajo Water Project reignited my drive and passion.

The most meaningful aspect was witnessing people my age, whom I had mostly seen only on Zoom before, come together with the goal of using our skills to help others. Although it was an ambitious project, seeing how our efforts directly impacted this family realigned my compass and opened doors to future opportunities.

How do you hope to continue supporting communities and making an impact in the world? 

As a direct result of my Global Glimpse program, my post graduation goal is to continue seeking personal and professional opportunities that are mission driven and that align with this passion to make change. The current landscape and job market is challenging, but I’m constantly reminded of what passionate individuals can achieve when given the right opportunities.

Is there any advice you’d offer to other students who are nervous about going on a trip with Global Glimpse? 

If you’re feeling nervous about going on your trip, take a moment to really consider what’s at stake. You’re with a group of people your age, all strangers, and any preconceived notions about who you are don’t exist here. No one knows which social circles you do or don’t belong to at school. It’s a level playing field, full of unknowns, and everyone is stepping into this together. There’s nothing to lose, but everything to gain. 

What you take away from this experience is entirely up to you, and it’s important to remember that the nervousness you’re feeling isn’t just yours, it’s everyones. It’s completely normal to feel uncomfortable, but the only way to grow that comfort zone is by stepping into the unknown. This trip will teach you how to be comfortable with discomfort, and it’s your choice to decide just how far you’re willing to go.