Valentina Castellanos Ramirez 

 

Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia

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Major: Civil Engineering

 

Languages: Spanish and English

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Hobbies:  I love dancing, playing acoustic guitar, drawing, singing, outdoor activities, trying food from different countries, and traveling.

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Hi, my name is Valentina, known as Valen!

Colombia is a country located in the northwest of South America that borders the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. We have as neighbors Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. Our culture showcases a colorful blend of Spanish, African, and Indigenous influeneces. Colombian beauty resides in their coffee, emeralds, art, music, food, flora, and fauna, as well as in our welcoming, positive, and rumbero spirit. 
Fun fact: The national flower of Colombia is the Cattleya Trianae Orchid, commonly known as “May flower”.

Growing up in the capital of Colombia, Bogotá, is where I developed my desire to become a Civil Engineer. I studied for one year in a public university back home. Then, I came to Portland to continue with my education at Portland Community College (PCC) where I obtained my Associate Degree in the Engineering program. After that, I had the opportunity to intern at the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to finally continue with my studies as a transfer student at PSU in the Upper Division for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE).

Living in Portland has been a blessing for me. I have met so many people from different cultural backgrounds who nowadays I consider like family. Our differences instead of limiting us, have been the glue to our relationships and new ways to see the world. Therefore, as a member of the ICSP I look forward to expanding our horizons by sharing my culture and learning from others in the academic, cultural, and professional aspects!