Esdaini Lopez (AA '25)
Esdaini Lopez (AA '25)
Major: Associate of Arts in Social & Behavioral Sciences, Political Science
High School: Gage Park High School
Involvements: Student Admission Ambassador, Arrupe Emerging Leaders, Treasurer of the Arrupe Alliance, Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa, Executive Coaching Program, Orientation Leader, and participated in the Ignatian Seminar in Rome, Italy
Hello! My name is Esdaini Lopez, and I'm here to tell you about my Arrupe College experience.
How I chose my degree:
I selected my degree in political science based on my experiences in high school. I want to make a change in the educational field and provide everyone with an equal playing field when it comes to education—which is something I felt that I lacked growing up—while watching my counterparts get opportunities I could only dream of having. A political science degree will allow me to go down the right path of understanding the law, the different systems, and power. At the end of my bachelor's degree, I plan on going into law school and becoming an attorney to advocate for students who are being oppressed.
My plans after graduation:
I will be continuing my education to obtain my bachelor's degree in Political Science at Loyola University of Chicago on a full ride scholarship!
What professor should a new student absolutely take a class with and why?
If you are a new student to Arrupe College, then you should definitely take a class with Dr. In. I am currently taking corrections with him this summer term, and he not only explains the course materials, but he also connects them with our everyday life to make class engaging. Professor In is someone who is truly invested in your education and incorporates different career paths into his lectures so you can explore your options. Not only is he there to teach you, but he is also interested in learning about all of his students. If you want to take a class where you not only learn about the subject but also learn more about your peers and the professor, then Dr. In is the professor to take a class with!
What has been your most challenging class and how did it change you?
I would say that my most challenging class would be my research class that I took in my spring semester. A reason for that is that I am not a great researcher, so conducting research, finding articles to back up my arguments, and tying them all together to make a compelling research paper was a huge struggle for me. But despite the struggle, I learned a lot from the class and about myself. While I may not be great at writing research papers, I know that I have the power to write a strong paper. Taking a research class pushes you to think in ways you never thought of thinking, having to formulate your own questions and finding strong evidence to back up the answers to your questions is difficult, but now I take that with me in every English class.
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola?
It's hard to pick a favorite moment during my time at Loyola, but currently my favorite moment would have to be when I had the opportunity to go to Rome with Arrupe for the Ignatian Seminar in Italy! It was my first time going out of the country and being able to not only experience a new culture but also get more connected with the Jesuit faith with the Arrupe community was transformative. I was able to go to places where St. Ignatius walked, lived and even see one of the seven great wonders of the world. Coming back to Arrupe from my trip brought me a new way of viewing the world and a deeper appreciation for community, reflection, and ultimately living. The new version of myself wouldn't have been possible without Arrupe College.
What advice do you have for the incoming class?
To the incoming class, say yes. Say yes to opportunities—to the things that scare you—say yes to things you never thought of doing. You don't have to know everything, but being in college means you're going to a place where everyone around you is rooting for you to succeed. My highlights in college weren't because I decided to play it safe; they came from saying yes to opportunity after opportunity and made me the person I am today. Take a chance on yourself, and I promise you are going to be okay.
Esdaini Lopez (AA '25)
Major: Associate of Arts in Social & Behavioral Sciences, Political Science
High School: Gage Park High School
Involvements: Student Admission Ambassador, Arrupe Emerging Leaders, Treasurer of the Arrupe Alliance, Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa, Executive Coaching Program, Orientation Leader, and participated in the Ignatian Seminar in Rome, Italy
Hello! My name is Esdaini Lopez, and I'm here to tell you about my Arrupe College experience.
How I chose my degree:
I selected my degree in political science based on my experiences in high school. I want to make a change in the educational field and provide everyone with an equal playing field when it comes to education—which is something I felt that I lacked growing up—while watching my counterparts get opportunities I could only dream of having. A political science degree will allow me to go down the right path of understanding the law, the different systems, and power. At the end of my bachelor's degree, I plan on going into law school and becoming an attorney to advocate for students who are being oppressed.
My plans after graduation:
I will be continuing my education to obtain my bachelor's degree in Political Science at Loyola University of Chicago on a full ride scholarship!
What professor should a new student absolutely take a class with and why?
If you are a new student to Arrupe College, then you should definitely take a class with Dr. In. I am currently taking corrections with him this summer term, and he not only explains the course materials, but he also connects them with our everyday life to make class engaging. Professor In is someone who is truly invested in your education and incorporates different career paths into his lectures so you can explore your options. Not only is he there to teach you, but he is also interested in learning about all of his students. If you want to take a class where you not only learn about the subject but also learn more about your peers and the professor, then Dr. In is the professor to take a class with!
What has been your most challenging class and how did it change you?
I would say that my most challenging class would be my research class that I took in my spring semester. A reason for that is that I am not a great researcher, so conducting research, finding articles to back up my arguments, and tying them all together to make a compelling research paper was a huge struggle for me. But despite the struggle, I learned a lot from the class and about myself. While I may not be great at writing research papers, I know that I have the power to write a strong paper. Taking a research class pushes you to think in ways you never thought of thinking, having to formulate your own questions and finding strong evidence to back up the answers to your questions is difficult, but now I take that with me in every English class.
What was your favorite moment during your time at Loyola?
It's hard to pick a favorite moment during my time at Loyola, but currently my favorite moment would have to be when I had the opportunity to go to Rome with Arrupe for the Ignatian Seminar in Italy! It was my first time going out of the country and being able to not only experience a new culture but also get more connected with the Jesuit faith with the Arrupe community was transformative. I was able to go to places where St. Ignatius walked, lived and even see one of the seven great wonders of the world. Coming back to Arrupe from my trip brought me a new way of viewing the world and a deeper appreciation for community, reflection, and ultimately living. The new version of myself wouldn't have been possible without Arrupe College.
What advice do you have for the incoming class?
To the incoming class, say yes. Say yes to opportunities—to the things that scare you—say yes to things you never thought of doing. You don't have to know everything, but being in college means you're going to a place where everyone around you is rooting for you to succeed. My highlights in college weren't because I decided to play it safe; they came from saying yes to opportunity after opportunity and made me the person I am today. Take a chance on yourself, and I promise you are going to be okay.