Student Spotlight

Far from his home in Cochabamba, Bolivia, Eduardo Ibañez attended Ensign College. He got a degree in business analytics before transferring to BYU to major in manufacturing engineering. Back in high school, Eduardo never thought he would go into engineering. He was planning on studying medicine. After returning home from his mission in Uruguay, Eduardo’s brother, who had just graduated in civil engineering, opened his eyes to the possibilities engineering could bring. He decided to get a degree in both business analytics and manufacturing engineering to help his father at his aluminum and glassware manufacturing company in Bolivia after graduation. Now, Eduardo wants to focus his career on polymers, specifically polycarbons, as there is an abundance of raw material in Bolivia. He wants to apply his education to helping his country as he helps the family business grow.

The transition to a new country was a little difficult for Eduardo. As the first member of his family to study abroad, he came to Utah knowing no one, and had to deal with the culture shock all on his own. Being involved with his ward helped him feel like he belonged here in Provo.

“There are a lot of leaders in the wards and stake here that have helped me with school,” he says. “My stake president is part of the faculty and some of my leaders are a part of school services like the international office.”

His involvement in church and school events allowed him to make friends and share his culture with those around him. As Eduardo and his girlfriend got involved in activities, they became section leaders in a fiesta event and taught Bolivian dances to other participants. When Eduardo walks around campus, he always runs into someone he has interacted with at these activities.

When he’s not studying or talking with friends and mission companions, Eduardo really enjoys going to BYU events. Not only does he enjoy watching sports like basketball and gymnastics, but he also goes to dance performances. Eduardo also works at the MTC in the technology department where he manages language learning databases for eight languages, and he enjoys being able to apply part of his degree to his job. While he doesn’t speak all the languages he works with, he is trilingual in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, and can also speak a little Quechua – one of the native languages in Bolivia.

While it may seem like Eduardo wouldn’t have time to do much else outside of education, work, and his social life, he always makes time to serve. During his time in Provo, he has volunteered at Kids on the Move, The Good Samaritan Program, and the Rose Park Neighborhood Center. Why has he chosen to volunteer so much? “It fulfills me,” he says. “When I first came to this country, I didn’t know what else do to and I felt like it was a good way to start getting involved and interacting with people.” Whether it’s the homeless, kids with disabilities, immigrants, or refugees, Eduardo seeks to help those in his community and is an inspiring example to all of us.

We are so glad Eduardo decided to come to BYU and are confident he will continue to bless the community around him.