Alumni dreams #235

The choice to focus on North America was an easy one for Carolina, as she already did a one-year exchange in the United States during her last year of high school. Her experience abroad made her want to learn more about the politics, history, and economics of the region. 

Graduating cum laude in the midst of the pandemic was one of the biggest achievements of her bachelor. Carolina looks back on her time at the BA with fondness and sees it as a great opportunity for students to explore their interests, listen to themselves, and gradually figure out their career path. She says perseverance and flexibility are two big skills she gained while at International Studies. In addition, thanks to the strong sense of community at the bachelor, she was happy to keep connections and gain a sense of normalcy during the pandemic, even during distance learning months. 

After graduating, Carolina started a Master's in Crisis and Security Management, with a specialization in Governance of Crisis, at Leiden University. She graduated in the summer of 2023 and after that started working as an Intern for the UNODC, where she researched human trafficking trends in the African region for the 2024 edition of the UN Global Report on Trafficking in Persons. In January 2024, Carolina began a new experience as a Legal Research Intern at the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children where she’s further educating herself on topics such as child rights, and prevention of sexual exploitation of children. 

In September 2024 she will start a second Master's in Global Crime, Justice and Security at the University of Edinburgh, where she will further refine her skills as a global crime researcher and manager. 

We wish you the best of luck in your internship and prospective master Carolina!