Simona Mocoi is originally from Foltesti, a small village located in eastern Romania, in the county of Galati. Her mother and father make a very modest living by selling produce as their sole source of income. Simona has two younger sisters, Alina and Mirela. Without financial help Simona would certainly be unable to continue her studies at the university level.

In high school, Simona was awarded a prize for her achievement in environmental studies. She is to be commended for her courageous decision to leave her parents’ home at age fifteen so that she could go to attend school in town, even though she was very shy and inexperienced. While living with a mentor, she acquired many new skills which will be helpful in her transition to life in Bucharest as a university student.

Simona enjoys working outdoors and spends much of her time away from her studies by helping her parents with their farm work and tending to the animals. During high school her extracurricular activities also include visiting elderly people and being involved in her church’s activities.

Simona’s goal is to become a social worker so that she can serve the community. In her own words, she would like to “be there for those who need a mother, sister or daughter in their life.”

Simona's scholarship is sponsored by the Emory University Goizueta Business School Class of 2005.