Hi! My name is Bianca Gajardoni. I’m 19 years old and I come from Birigui, a town in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil. Currently, I am a student of biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

This is the story of my journey!

My background

I studied at a public school until the fifth grade of elementary school. Then, during the transition to the sixth grade, I moved to SESI, a type of school in Brazil that offers scholarships to students whose parents work in the industrial sector.

This opportunity was very important to me because it introduced me to the world of robotics. I joined my school’s robotics team and participated in competitions both nationally and internationally during my elementary years. One of the most memorable experiences was a competition abroad, where I realized the possibility of studying overseas. Meeting people from different countries made me think, “How cool would it be to pursue my undergraduate studies in such a diverse environment?” This idea sparked my desire to explore education in a global setting.

At that time, SESI did not offer any type of mentoring, although today they have the “Passaporte para o futuro” program. Back then, I had to seek mentorship outside of my school. I received guidance from the “University Placement” program at LALA and the “Daqui pra fora” scholarships. This support was crucial, as my parents were unable to assist me financially.

Why USA

The first reason I chose the USA was that I knew they valued interdisciplinary courses, and that was exactly what I wanted. While I was certain I wanted to work in engineering, I still had a strong desire to explore my social side. I wanted to attend a university where I could study a bit of everything.

The second reason was the opportunity to experience American culture. When I was 14 to 15 years old, I loved watching videos of girls studying abroad, and it became my dream too.

Finally, financial aid played a crucial role in my decision. Scholarships in the USA are much larger, and since my family couldn’t provide financial support, I knew I needed to secure the largest scholarship possible. Other countries simply didn’t offer as many opportunities as the USA.

Why Johns Hopkins

Johns Hopkins is the top university for biomedical engineering, and I wanted to be part of such an esteemed institution. Attending a top university would give me access to cutting-edge research, valuable connections with major tech companies, and exposure to advanced technologies. I was eager to be part of that environment and take advantage of the opportunities it offers.

Stats and Extracurriculars

I had a 3.8 unweighted GPA and applied as test-optional, which was quite surprising to most people. Additionally, I scored 130 on the Duolingo English Test.

My biggest extracurriculars were three key experiences. The first was definitely my involvement with the robotics team, which I joined at 14, demonstrating long-term commitment. I participated in various research projects within robotics, focusing on topics like fibromyalgia, cosmic radiation, and smart cities. One project I developed aimed to provide an alternative treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome, which highlighted my passion for biomedical engineering to the university.

Secondly, I was part of an NGO called "Tocando em Frente," where we provided public school teenagers with the opportunity to engage in a range of extracurricular activities. The program offered a year of activities designed to develop critical and creative thinking, helping students discover opportunities that are often unavailable to them. Through this project, we impacted over 10,000 children across Brazil.

The third key extracurricular was my involvement with “STEM para Minas.” Initially, I was part of the writing team, where we wrote articles about being a woman in STEM. Later, I became the leader of the podcast team, where I interviewed Brazilian women scientists about their research. We also discussed the challenges of prejudice in the field, raising awareness and promoting gender equality in STEM.

Financial Aid

I was awarded a full-ride scholarship at Johns Hopkins University, which covers my tuition, room, board, and book expenses. Additionally, I receive a $1,300 stipend each semester to help with additional and non-planed costs.

Adapting to a new environment

In my first month, everything felt amazing! I had access to opportunities I had never experienced before, like biomedical engineering labs and 3D printers, which was incredible.

However, in the second month, reality set in. I started to miss my family a lot, but fortunately, I had a Brazilian friend, which made it easier for me during that time.

By the third month, I realized that I wouldn't always be 100% happy, but life is full of ups and downs, with moments that shape our experience.

My advice is to give yourself time. Don’t force yourself to be overly social from day one because you're still adapting to a completely new environment.

Future Paths

In the future, I plan to create a startup focused on the industrial side of biomedical engineering. My goal is to develop initiatives that address both healthcare challenges and the social impact of healthcare, improving access and outcomes for diverse communities.