
Fashion Reporter
Most of Maria's friends know her to be a woman of few words. This was no different when Le Prestige spoke to her about life and being an international student.
A native of Colombia, Maria is an 18 year-old international student living in Los Angeles but visiting Chicago. "I'm visiting family mostly, so it's hardly a vacation," Maria said jokingly. While the majority of her family lives in Lake Forest, Illinois, a great number of her friends reside in Chicago, specifically the Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods."I've fallen in love with the people and the culture in Lincoln Park. If I could live anywhere in Chicago it would be here."
While we spent a great deal of time sharing a moment in Lincoln Park, the actual shot was done in Winnetka. "I love Lake Michigan", Maria said excitedly. "The beach parts of Chicago were a bit dirty, but the North Shore is quite nice. I don't want to go back to L.A.!"
While she doesn't have particular plans to become a model anytime soon, Maria enjoys being in front of the camera. "I hope to become a professional dancer, so being in the spotlight is something I really enjoy." She will be starting her first year at UCLA this fall and looks forward to a quintessential "American university experience".
"To Colombian people, being a student at a university in the United States means parties, hunks, and a wild time. While I'm not a 'party girl', I am looking forward to my American college life."