Defying the Odds, Reaching New Heights, and Honoring Those Who Came Before Me
Melissa is a 2025 recipient of the Sandy and Jack Cohen Scholarship through Hillel International. She is a rising second-year student at New York University, studying computer science and economics.
My journey to NYU and becoming a Hillel International scholarship recipient has been anything but linear. I was born and raised in the northern district of Rio de Janeiro – an area often overlooked and underserved, where young lives are too frequently shaped by violence. Statistically, my path should have been no different. But with the support and strength of my parents and grandparents, I have always believed that education could be my passport to a different future.
From solving English-language puzzles together to rearranging Hebrew word magnets on our fridge, my family instilled in me a sense of curiosity that reached far beyond our neighborhood. They helped shape me into a global citizen and gave me the courage to dream of something bigger, like learning multiple languages, studying in the U.S, and building a life filled with possibility.
I also grew up with the stories of my great-grandparents, Jewish immigrants who arrived in Brazil with fake passports and assimilated into Brazilian society in order to escape World War II. My grandparents, in turn, had to work from a young age to help support their families, prioritizing survival over education for themselves, but passing the value of education to my father. My father, a Jewish artist, kitchen chef, and polyglot, became my mentor in all things: Torah, fantasy books, French memory games, and paintings on my magenta-pink walls. And when he died of a heart attack 15 years ago, he took a piece of me with him.
Amid shiva condolences and grief, I committed to the longstanding Jewish tradition of learning the Torah, in my dad’s honor. Judaism and the connection I built to God comforted me with the reminder that I am here because of my dad, and anything positive I do in the world after his passing is also his success.
Now, my father’s legacy lives not only in my memories but in the values he instilled in me: devotion to Judaism, creativity, kindness, and fearlessness.
I plan to honor his legacy and that of my family through my education. Higher education will equip me with the expertise, research opportunities, and tools to drive change in equitable healthcare. After graduation, my goal is to become a health-tech leader, developing computational models that improve patient outcomes for people of color, women, and transgender individuals. After seeing so many people in my community growing up suffer from a lack of adequate access to health care, I am determined to explore solutions that directly address the needs of my communities, always grounded in the belief of kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh — all of Israel (all of humanity) is responsible for one another.
Becoming a Hillel International Scholarship recipient has opened the door to so many possibilities. During my first year of college, I balanced rigorous academic coursework with leadership roles in student organizations and part-time jobs to support myself. This scholarship allows me to enter my second year with the freedom to prioritize learning, leadership, and professional development without the constant pressure of juggling academics and work. It means I can invest my energy where it matters most.
The sacrifices of those before me made it possible for me to be here today, and I do not take that for granted. By embracing the opportunities they never had, I ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain. I will carry their legacy forward by using my education to uplift others, knowing that every step I take is one they would have taken if only they had been given the chance. It’s a privilege — and a gift.
Learn more about Hillel International scholarships and see the full list of 2025 recipients.