Hello! My name is Julia Flores Baylosis, and I am a freshman at Old Dominion University, majoring in nursing. I was born in Ventura, California and moved to Norfolk, Virginia when I was 6 years old. In high school, I wanted to pursue a career in nursing, but as a senior, I wanted to attend either Virginia Tech or William and Mary, neither of which have nursing as a major, which narrowed my options from eight schools to three; JMU, VCU, and ODU. Growing up in this area, I was almost certain that I wanted to move out of the area and live on my own, but after much consideration, I came to the conclusion that ODU would be the best fit for me if I was serious about pursuing nursing. Being a part of the Medical and Health Specialties Program at my high school has exposed me to much of the medical field and the professions that the field has to offer. Through the program, I had the amazing opportunity to meet and make connections with healthcare professionals as well as have first-hand experience in their facilities around the Hampton Roads area. I have become more familiar with the numerous hospital systems in both Norfolk and Virginia Beach, which is part of the reason why I chose to go to ODU. I feel that, although very close to home, I will be able to see more opportunity due to my association with the medical program at my high school.

Apart from my academic reason why I attended ODU, Norfolk is very close to the beach, but there are still parts of Hampton Roads that have the city-like atmosphere I love while not being so overwhelming. Although I saw myself moving away from my parents and being independent, I like that I can still go home and take care of my parents(and my dog!) when I need to.

Some of my interests include field hockey, running, and helping the community! I love being involved on campus and around the community because it gives me a chance to give back. On campus, I am involved in the Student Nurses’ Association, greek life, the Filipino American Student Association, Global Brigades, and the ODU club field hockey team. I joined SNA to be involved with not only current news revolving around the medical and nursing world but to make connections with fellow nursing and pre-nursing students. Greek life and FASA has also given me a family when I am away from my own. Joining these two organizations has given me a place where I belong, while giving my opportunities to get involved on campus for the greater good. Global Brigades is a nonprofit sustainable development organization that works with volunteers from universities, as well as other young adults, to reduce inequalities. Being a nursing major, it is important to me to see all sides of medicine. Joining Global Brigades, I hope to help developing areas while being exposed to a different atmosphere of the medical world. Lastly, I have loved the sport of field hockey for nine years, and it is hard to see my life without it. Joining the club field hockey team on campus gives me the opportunity to let go of the stress of academics and focus on one of the best sports there is!