JAULI Scholars to Study Abroad at Geneva Graduate Institute

Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute scholars Maria Elena Lugo and Sofia Carolina Diaz have embarked on their joint five-year BS/MA programs at the prestigious Geneva Graduate Institute (L'Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement) in Switzerland. Both senior scholars are pursuing a Master of Arts in international and development studies, specializing in fields that reflect their unique academic achievements and passions.

Lugo, a Diplomacy and International Relations major with minors in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, is specializing in human rights and humanitarianism at the graduate institute. She hopes to focus her work on advocating for vulnerable populations. Last spring, she conducted research examining how AI and surveillance technology impact human rights in the Middle East. During this past summer, she interned for the U.S. State Department, gaining hands-on experience in diplomacy and international affairs.

Beyond academics, Lugo has demonstrated exceptional leadership. As former co-president of the Undergraduate Diplomacy Student Association, she actively worked to enhance the experience of the student body. As a four-year student worker for the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute, she founded the Latin Caucus, an alliance of Seton Hall University’s Latinx-based student organizations, serving as its inaugural chair last spring. Her efforts aimed to strengthen the Latinx community on campus and foster a more connected, safe space.

Diaz is a double major in diplomacy and modern languages, with concentrations in French and Spanish. Her undergraduate research explores the long-term impact of French imperialism on modern migration trends, aligning with her master’s specialization in mobilities, migrations and boundaries. Diaz aspires to support migrant and refugee communities through diplomacy, language services, resettlement programs or health care initiatives.

Her commitment to humanitarian efforts is evident in her professional experience. Diaz currently interns at the Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the United Nations in New York City, with a focus on multilateral diplomacy. She also has interned for the International Rescue Committee, assisting refugee families with support services and conducting volunteer English tutoring for multilingual migrant families at the International Rescue Committee in New York.

Additionally, she has spent the past two years working part time as an EMT, a Spanish and French tutor and a migrant ESL instructor. “I have experience and a deep passion for serving communities in need,” Diaz shared. She is also an active member of the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute and played a role in the Latin Caucus while serving as president of Unidos Bailamos, Seton Hall University’s Latin dance club.

Through this prestigious exchange program, Lugo and Diaz are propelling their academic journeys forward. Their unwavering dedication to diplomacy and cross-cultural engagement exemplifies their commitment to global progress, making them inspiring ambassadors for both Seton Hall University and the Latinx community. The Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute is incredibly proud of their achievements and confident in their ability to make a meaningful impact abroad.

Categories: Nation and World