Ana Sofia Martinez, Global Ambassador
Name: Ana Sofia Martinez
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Area of Study: Hospitality Leadership
I chose my major because…
I chose to major in Hospitality Leadership because I always had an interest in helping others as I was very involved in community service throughout high school. My biggest goal is to be able to improve people's experiences in establishments, from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave. During my formative years I moved to three different countries in the Americas. Due to this I experience hospitality from a very early age. This industry surrounds us every day, but we rarely register it as such. This inspires me to want to be a part of the hospitality industry and provide excellent service to varied groups of people.
My favorite thing to do on campus is…
The DePaul University campus offers a great variety of activities to participate in. My favorite activity within the campus would be to hang out in the student center with my roommate and friends. During my freshman year, we would consistently go and study or just hang around to chat. It has great atmosphere where many other students eat and hang out, allowing you to meet new people. It was always important that we had somewhere comfortable to lounge in and have an easy accessibility to the food.
When I have free time in Chicago, I…
When I have free time in Chicago, I enjoy taking the L downtown or to the lakefront with my friends. Downtown Chicago offers a huge variety of restaurants and activities which are especially fun when you are just recently discovering the city. Meanwhile, the lakefront is a very peaceful and relaxing place to hang out. My favorite activity is to have a picnic with friends when the weather allows it while enjoying the view. Another great activity before the pandemic was to attend concerts in different concert venues which provided great atmosphere for nightlife. Chicago has so many things to offer but if I had to narrow it down to my favorites I would choose hanging out at the lakefront, going out to restaurants, and attending concerts.
One positive thing I’ve learned about myself since coming to DePaul is…
My ability to do things independently. Attending unviersity in a new country provides a freedom and independence I had never previously experienced. DePaul has given me the chance to make my own decisions while exploring new interests. My time at DePaul has allowed me to grow as a person pushing me to flourish independently and cultivate my own identity.
After graduation, I’d like to…
After graduation, my first priority would be to find a job within the hospitality industry that aligns with the fields that interest me: lodging, event planning, and tourism. I would hope to get a work visa that allows me to work in the hospitality industry in the United States. If staying in the United States is not a viable option, I would go back to my home country and develop my career within tourism, lodging, and event planning, allowing me to use the skills learned at DePaul University. Overall, I would love to continue pursuing a profession within the hospitality realm and using my passion for the industry to drive my future endeavors forward.