Oaxacan Student Finds Community and Purpose at UC Berkeley
From L.A. to the East Bay, a student finds her Oaxacan community at Berkeley
University Of California, Berkeley
Image: University Of California, Berkeley
Tania Lopez, a second-year landscape architecture student at UC Berkeley, reflects on her journey from Los Angeles to the East Bay, where she discovered her Oaxacan heritage through ballet folklórico. She aims to design public spaces that foster safety and connection for lower-income families, inspired by her own experiences.
- 01Tania Lopez has been involved in dance since childhood, connecting her to her Oaxacan roots.
- 02She joined OaxaCal, a community organization for Oaxacan students, at UC Berkeley.
- 03Lopez is now a co-lead in the marketing department of OaxaCal and participates in Ballet Folklórico Reflejos del Sol.
- 04Her experiences in dance motivate her to design public spaces that promote safety and community.
- 05Lopez's journey highlights the importance of cultural identity and community support in education.
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Tania Lopez, a second-year landscape architecture student at the University of California, Berkeley, has found a profound connection to her Oaxacan heritage through dance. Growing up in Echo Park, Los Angeles, she was introduced to ballet folklórico during high school, which deepened her appreciation for her cultural roots. At Berkeley, she joined OaxaCal, a grassroots organization for Oaxacan students, and became co-lead in their marketing department. Additionally, she participates in Ballet Folklórico Reflejos del Sol, which performs traditional dances across the East Bay Area. Lopez's passion for dance is not only a personal journey but also a tribute to her parents, particularly her mother, who could not afford dance classes as a child. Now, as she pursues her education, Lopez aims to design public spaces in Los Angeles that foster safety and connection for families in lower-income neighborhoods, reflecting her commitment to community and cultural identity.
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Lopez's work aims to improve public spaces in Los Angeles, benefiting families in lower-income neighborhoods by creating safe and connected environments.
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