Meet Claudio
First to Graduate
I am the first in my family to graduate from college, but the support I receive from them is endless. I was born in Heidelberg, Germany, but my family background comes from Manabi, Ecuador, in South America. I believe that my ethnicity has really helped me prepare for college life since our family is so open to new ideas and welcoming to everyone. We use humor and sarcasm to let people become a part of our family, but the underlying feeling of sincerity is always there. My friends are always amazed on how down to earth my family is.
One of the Best Nursing Schools in the Nation
The University of Texas offers one of the best nursing schools in the nation. On top of that, Austin is the live music capital of the world and has been dubbed one of the most active cities in the United States.
"I knew that I liked the idea of being at the bedside of a patient and having constant interaction with them really appealed to my social personality."
A Career with Endless Possibilities
I chose nursing when I circled the “Nursing Option” on my Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship during my senior year in high school. I always knew I wanted to work in a hospital setting but could never make up my mind on which job. I rarely thought about what career I would choose and figured that I could find out after a couple of semesters of college. However, the two options that I was given by the Navy (Nursing or other major) led me to contemplate a career in nursing. I knew that I liked the idea of being at the bedside of a patient and having constant interaction with them really appealed to my social personality. After taking my first couple of nursing classes, I knew that I had made the right choice. Nursing is a great career with endless possibilities and I am excited to see where this career leads me.
Claudio's tips
On studying
Don’t put it off! Try to find a place where you feel comfortable. Coffee shops are awesome, but the distractions always seem more interesting than your microbiology homework. Studying with friends is not always a good thing since talking off subject seems inevitable. One thing that I learned about myself with studying is that I had to eliminate all distractions or I would spend more time cleaning my room, watching people, or even cleaning my hard drive on my computer before I even put the title on my paper.
Meeting new people
Be open. UT has an eclectic student body that can blow your mind with how many types of people you will meet. Different organizations and clubs are a great way to meet new people with the same interests. Always try to meet someone new in your classes. This is great way to socialize and you never know when you need to borrow their notes.
Finding parking at UT
Finding parking at UT seems to be harder than any class I have ever taken here. In order to find parking, you have to arrive early to school or follow an innocent bystander to their car and take their parking spot when they leave. The garage parking spots are great, but they tend to be more expensive. Luck has a great deal to do with finding a good parking spot.
On balancing studying, friends, work and family
Having a planner helps a ton. Use it and actually look at it everyday. There are so many things that are going on in your life that you won’t be able to remember it all. All work and no play makes for a dull day, so make sure to take a break every once in a while. You’re in college now, enjoy it, but don’t get carried away.
On living on campus
I currently live off campus in the Hyde Park area. Though the rent gets a little expensive, my townhome is embedded in a small community with parks and families and with a vintage bohemian feel to it. I love that I am only a 10-minute walk away from campus but away from the commotion that the campus brings. I lived in Jester East my freshman year; an experience I would recommend to anyone new to UT. The floor you live on and the people in your building may very well be your good friends for the rest of your life. By living on campus, you have the benefit of being surrounded by all the activities that UT has to offer such as free food, free shirts, or finding an organization you are interested in. When you walk to class you have the chance to see friends or even make new ones. Waking up five minutes before each class is also a great benefit to living on campus.
"I really enjoy the feeling of prestige when I tell people about my aspirations with the Navy."
Embodying the Concepts of Duty, Honor and Loyalty
Being in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corp has helped shape me into the person I am today. Reading about how to become a leader does nothing compared to the opportunities this program gives you to actually lead and manage. You learn at the beginning that by being a naval officer, you must embody the concepts of duty, honor, and loyalty, but in reality, you can use these concepts in your everyday life as a student. I really enjoy the feeling of prestige when I tell people about my aspirations with the Navy. Their reaction to this is almost always respect and gratitude for what the military does. Both of my brothers came out of the Army with eight years of service under their belts. I could never be prouder of them for this and I only hope that I can make my family feel proud of me, the way I felt for my brothers.
A Texas Experience Outside of Texas
My favorite experience at The University of Texas at Austin was not even in Texas at all. The School of Nursing offers a study abroad program in Guadalajara, Mexico, that is offered to all levels of nursing students. During the summer of 2008, I got the opportunity to live in a Mexican household with a host family while attending class at the University of Guadalajara. Within my month abroad, I was able to tour the different medical facilities that Guadalajara had to offer, as well as participate in a health fair that was catered to families with low incomes. The time spent here opened my eyes to the world outside of our beloved Texas and made me appreciate the things we might deem as basic necessities such as health care. I enjoyed every second, from me screaming at the local luchadores (masked wrestlers), trying some of the best tacos I have ever had, and taking part in some spicy salsa dancing.
Memorable Faculty and Staff
The faculty and staff at the School of Nursing are some of the most memorable. I really enjoy being in an atmosphere where you are able to see your instructor daily in the hallways and have them remember your name. The sincerity of the staff and faculty is reassuring since their concern and encouragement is believable. The other students in my class are my closest friends. We study, eat, and play together. It’s great having friends in the same classes because we motivate each other and remind each other that the homework we have been putting off is actually due the next day.
More on Claudio
Favorites
- Study location on and off campus: The stacks in the Life Science Library on levels 4,5,6 – quiet and peaceful, JP’s Java
- Place to eat on or near campus: Jimmy John's, La Madeline, Tam Deli & Café, Casa Colombia
- Class: Problems in Mental Health Nursing Practicum with Ronnie Walker
- Books: Running with Scissors, In a Million Pieces, Angels and Demons, Angela’s Ashes
- Movies: Blackhawk Down, Grease, Mala Educacion, Volver, Amores Perros
- Thing about Austin: All the outdoor activities it has to offer like the Austin Kite Festival and charity walks.
- Pastime/recreational activity: Running or playing at Lady Bird Lake
Clubs/Organizations
- University of Texas Nursing Student Association
- Longhorn Association for Men in Nursing president
- Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps midshipman
Biggest challenge
The overall adjustment with college: living away from my parents, dealing with money, getting used to being in a class with over 100 students. It seriously took me about two semesters to get used to the college atmosphere, but now I love it and would never go back.
Best unexpected thing
Getting into the School of Nursing. Everyone kept telling me how competitive it was. I kept freaking out when I applied and started to plan my life if I didn’t get in.
Send Claudio an e-mail at c.alvaradoalcivar@gmail.com