Growing up in Colombia and later in the U.S. sparked Maria’s interest in bridging cultures, while her long involvement in Model UN fueled her passion for diplomacy and international cooperation. At Iowa, she has found both “a welcoming community and academic excellence,” along with countless opportunities to get involved. Maria serves as President of the HAWC Catlett Hall Association, an At-Large Senator in the University Student Government, and an International Admissions Ambassador, among other roles, all of which have strengthened her leadership and sense of belonging. One of her favorite parts of the experience has been that “discussions about migration, globalization, and diplomacy don’t feel abstract—they feel personal,” which motivates her to dive deeper into her studies. She encourages others to “get involved as early as possible and not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone,” since friendships and experiences will shape their college journey as much as classes will.