Juliahna Mistretta

Every year, thanks to donations to the Friends of the University of Sussex, Sussex welcomes a new student from the USA to pursue a Masters degree. This year’s recipient of the Friends’ highly competitive scholarship is Juliahna Mistretta (Global Biodiversity Conservation).

Juliahna says:

“Thank you for awarding me the Friends of the University of Sussex Scholarship. I am from New Orleans, Louisiana, where I lived most of my life. I witnessed a lot of land devastation growing up which is why I moved to Delaware to study Landscape Architecture at the University of Delaware.

“I truly enjoyed my undergraduate program and plan on taking up a career in landscape architecture, but I wanted to figure out how to be more environmentally focused within the profession. I came to the University of Sussex to study Global Biodiversity Conservation to help with merging my interests.

“I’ve already learned so much since arriving at Sussex. This term I am taking three modules: Advanced Conservation Biology, Rewilding and Ecosystem Services, and the Science of Climate Change. These modules have been so informative. The climate change module is really different from anything I have taken in my undergrad, and it is so helpful in understanding the more quantitative side of things.

“I am looking to get more involved in rewilding efforts happening around Sussex and am taking on a project in my rewilding module studying biodiversity around the Somerset Wildlands. I am also really excited about going on a field course in Zambia, where I will be doing data collection in multiple national parks.

“I am so grateful for the support in this new journey of mine. It has already changed my life and I am getting to have an experience most people can only dream of. This year will be so beneficial for my future and helping me find a job where I can help implement rewilding and conservation efforts through landscape architecture.”

The Friends Masters Scholarship is available to students in any discipline. It aims to ensure that talented students from the USA are given the opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background and resources.