Beyond Borders and Blueprints: The Resilient Path of Andrea Solis Olguin
When it comes to resilience, Andrea Solis Olguin clearly embodies it. As a recent UC Davis graduate with a B.S. in civil engineering and a minor in sustainability in the built environment, Solis carries the weight and strength of various identities: she was a reentry student, an international student, and a transfer student. She is also an engineer, a photographer, a storyteller, and a mosaic of lived experiences. As Solis explains, “I am a bit of a Pandora’s box.”
Originally hailing from Monterrey, Mexico, Solis moved to France for several years after secondary school. Her undergraduate education journey began with her studying mechanical engineering at the Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier in Toulouse, France. Once the COVID-19 pandemic began, she came to the United States and started studying at Solano Community College. In the Fall of 2023, Solis transferred to UC Davis to study civil engineering.
Bringing her global perspective and commitment to sustainability full circle, Solis studied in Guadalajara, Mexico, in the summer of 2025 through UC Davis’ Building Sustainable Water Treatment Systems program.
A Journey Shaped by Determination and Support
Studying in Guadalajara only came to fruition for Solis after a year of sustained effort, reflection, and resilience. In 2024, she noticed a poster advertising a UC Davis engineering study abroad program in her hometown of Monterrey, Mexico. This immediately piqued Solis’ interest — not only because of the program's focus and location — but also because her cousin, who was studying mechanical engineering, was enrolled at the host institution.
At the time, Solis was searching for direction and community. Still finding her footing at UC Davis, she was determined to make the most of her undergraduate experience. Taking initiative, she reached out to Dr. Frank Loge, the program's lead instructor, to learn more about the opportunity and to discuss her academic interests. Although she was unable to participate in the 2024 cohort, Solis remained committed and set her sights on joining the program in 2025.
A pivotal figure in Solis’ journey was Roy Akumu, a master’s student in civil and environmental engineering, teaching assistant for her Transportation Design class, and alumnus of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Akumu and Solis developed a meaningful mentorship and friendship. His engineering work in Kenya, Ethiopia, and beyond inspired Solis to keep pursuing her dream of studying abroad.
“Being exposed to different people and different perspectives helped me see new opportunities and possibilities for my own path,” explained Solis.
Strengthened by Akumu’s support and encouragement, Solis set her sights on joining the 2025 cohort — determined to turn her ambition into reality and eager to reconnect with family in Mexico. Eventually, her persistence paid off, and she joined the Guadalajara program.
Learning through Engineering and Community
Academically, Solis was challenged by the program’s technical design components and learning how to engineer them into functional systems. Although the content was familiar to her, the real-world application transformed her experience. Applying a water treatment system to a neighboring community in her home country made the experience especially meaningful — deepening her cultural and personal connection. The program also pushed Solis toward more imaginative and systems-level thinking. “What if the water that you use gets used for something else? And you actually interact with that water? What if that water is used for recreational purposes? It just made me wonder — we see all of these things as waste, but now we don’t have to. It can be a water park, it can be a park, it can be a river–it can be anything you want it to be. And it's not the norm here, but it can be elsewhere. It made me question our norms, and what can be the norm,” she reflected.
Interaction with other students in the program also fostered Solis's growth. She worked with peers from different academic backgrounds, sometimes across language barriers, which allowed her to learn from and teach others. She ultimately saw the challenge as an opportunity to strengthen her skills, such as empathy, collaboration, and diplomacy.
Solis also grew personally during the program. As the eldest daughter in her family, she has often felt obligated to support everyone. Participating in the program helped her shift that focus inward — learning to invest in her own growth as well as others. “The program helped me grow in the sense that it reinforced the sense of independence that I want in my life. I have been able to practice what I have been wanting to be better at,” she said. In Guadalajara, she became her own source of motivation, financial stability, and emotional support.
Among the experiences that stuck with Solis were the close relationships she developed with the 14 other students in the program, the outings in Guadalajara, and the local music and food, but what she valued most were the conversations held during field trips. Speaking in Spanish with the wastewater operators and guides was especially impactful for her, bringing her closer to both the work and the people behind it. “I feel more comfortable speaking Spanish than I do English. After our tours, I would talk with wastewater operators and they would share their stories. They took great pride in their work and had their own professional families,” said Solis.
Framing Resilience Through a New Lens
Beyond engineering, Solis has found a creative outlet in photography — one that mirrors her commitment to storytelling and connection. As a photographer with Global Affairs, she engaged with many students and visiting fellows, capturing their experiences and contributions across campus. “I got exposed to everything international around the school. I felt like I had stepped out of the darkroom and into a much broader, global community,” explained Solis. “I worked with the Humphrey Fellows, documenting their experiences and learning about the work they do in their home countries. Seeing their global impact inspired me to pursue a more interconnected life.” The work has given her a front-row seat to global perspectives and the power of visual storytelling.
“Photography helps me see the world differently — not just in structures or environments, but in people,” Solis said. “Every image is a reminder that resilience looks different for everyone.”
Solis encourages other students, especially those navigating nontraditional paths, to embrace flexibility and persistence in their academic journeys. “You have to be willing to try, even when the outcome is uncertain. If it doesn’t work out, at least you know you gave it your best effort,” explained Solis.
After graduating in December, Solis is back at UC Davis pursuing her master’s degree and continuing to approach each new chapter with the same determination—one that blends technical skill, creative expression, and an enduring belief in the value of persistence.