Name:

Krystal Marie J. Aribal

Home Institution:

Ateneo de Manila University

Host Institution:

University of Wisconsin - Stout

Award Name:

Global UGRAD Exchange Program

Award Year:

2024 - 2025

Bio / Write-up:

Krystal Marie J. Aribal is currently a third year undergraduate student, pursuing BS Biology, in the Ateneo de Manila University. She aims to champion her advocacies in sports, fitness, and environmental sustainability in the University of Wisconsin-Stout through cultural immersion. 
 
As a sports enthusiast and environmental advocate, she served as the former Physical Fitness Officer of the Loyola Mountaineers, the prime mountaineering organization in Ateneo, and is also currently working as a deputy under the same department. ‘Being a woman for and with others, through paying forward to the community’ has been her mantra and along with this, after her induction in the same organization, she organized and led the “Saka ta Bai: Mt. Matunog Clean Up Climb” in Jagna, Bohol last August of 2023. As a former Publicist under the Skwelahan  Committee  of  the  Kabiling  Lunhaw,  the  first non-governmental, non-profit youth environmental organization in Bohol, she volunteered in initiatives such as clean-up drives, tree planting activities, and she also facilitated the Zero Waste Training Program in Tintinan Island, Ubay. 
 
Being so deeply connected with nature, she enjoys nature trips such as climbing mountains and going to the beach, waterfalls, and springs. On top of that, she has made sports and fitness her lifestyle. Meditation, home workouts, going to the gym, and participating in sports such as tennis, volleyball, badminton, running, triathlon, cycling, and duathlon have kept her sane and have been her outlet throughout the years.