Marissa is a first year MURP student with a focus in Design and Development at the Luskin School of Public Affairs in UCLA. This summer she will be interning abroad in the historic district of San Felipe, Panama. There she will be working on improving the built environment of communities through research and design elements all while immersing herself into the country’s intriguing and vibrant culture. In the future she hopes to help create prosperous communities for underserved populations through the enhancement of sustainability and a healthy built environment. This internship in a different country will positively challenge her view on urban design and reward her with a unique learning experience that will take her one step closer to her career goals.