Hi! My name is Maria Salcedo. I am a second year law student from Ecuador, South America. I was born in New Mexico, but I spent most of my life in Ecuador, where my family is from. I moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1999 when my father came to get a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. I completed my undergraduate education at the University of Kansas as well. I got a degree in Journalism and International Studies (I focused on Africa and the Middle East). During my college years, I was involved with the International Student Association, Midwest Student Ministries, The University Daily Kansan advertising department, and Morning Star Church. I graduated in May 2006, and I started law school in the fall of the same year.
I knew I wanted to be an attorney since I was ten years old. Growing in Ecuador, I personally experienced the difficulties of living in a country with a corrupt legal system. I saw how my parents struggled to maintain their business in an environment that did not consistently protect the legal rights of entrepreneurs. These situations created a desire in me to become a lawyer to gain the necessary skills to provide legal assistance to business owners.
I applied to numerous law schools around the country. I was drawn to KU because of the numerous opportunities to get real legal experience as a student and the strength of its international law program. KU Law alumni's regional and national success in their legal careers also motivated me to choose to study here. The friendliness of KU Law's faculty and students helped me reach the final decision to attend KU. I am glad I made this decision. I truly like the KU Law community, and I feel the school has prepared me well to practice law. Last summer, I interned at the United States Attorney's Office in Topeka. I also worked (and continue to do so) at the University of Kansas Office of the General Counsel.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about what its like to be a KU Law student. I strongly encourage you to come visit our campus. My e-mail address is maria02@ku.edu. I look forward to meeting you and helping you in your decision process.
