Barbára Villanueva

Freshman, Universidad Anahuac Mayab, Mérida, México

Bárbara has known from a young age that her mission in life is to help others. She has led recycling initiatives to encourage peers to adopt sustainable waste separation habits, and now studies Environmental Engineering at Anáhuac Mayab University. Bárbara is committed to preserving Mérida’s rich biodiversity. Alongside her PGC Team Eco Rise, she believes that Project Green Challenge will help her fulfill her mission of inspiring environmental change.

What are five words that describe your PGC experience?
Transformative, Challenging, Insightful, Collaborative, and Empowering.

What was the most memorable aspect of PGC 2024 for you?
One of the most memorable aspects of PGC 2024 was the intense teamwork experience I had throughout the program. From day one, we were encouraged to collaborate and support each other in every activity. What stood out to me was a simulation session where we had to solve an environmental challenge within a limited timeframe. Each team member brought their own perspective and skills, which led to innovative ideas. I remember how, at first, we faced disagreements about the direction of the project. However, through open communication and everyone’s willingness to listen, we managed to find common ground and build on our differences. This experience not only reinforced our ability to work together but also fostered an atmosphere of trust that allowed us to be creative. By the end of the program, we not only presented a viable solution to the problem, but we had also built a strong sense of camaraderie. Seeing each of us grow in confidence and skills was truly inspiring. This experience taught me that teamwork is not just about reaching a goal; it’s also about building meaningful relationships and learning from one another along the way.