Anaya took part in the 2021 Virtual Summer Intensive Arabic program. She always had a deep love of language learning and NSLI-Y felt like the perfect opportunity to immerse herself in another culture while developing meaningful language skills. Anaya saw the value in learning Arabic to communicate with future veterinary clients, especially if she chooses to work abroad.

NSLI-Y has had a big impact on Anaya’s journey. She notes that “Participating in a nationally competitive program like NSLI-Y during high school has been instrumental in shaping my academic and professional path. It’s an experience I frequently refer to in applications and interviews. Beyond that, it taught me how to be adaptable and accelerated my ability to learn quickly—skills that have served me well in every area of life. It also gave me the foundational ability to hold conversational Arabic, which has come in handy in both academic and community spaces.”

Anaya is very involved on campus at the University of Kentucky, where she currently serves as a senator in the Student Government Association, a Director for the Student Activities Board, and an Executive Peer Mentor for the College of Agriculture’s Living Learning Program. She has also conducted undergraduate research in several different labs. She hopes that these experiences and her academic specializations will help her pursue her goal as a veterinarian. She notes that “I’m deeply passionate about animal health, food systems, and community impact, and I hope to work at the intersection of these areas in a meaningful way.”