Read about this month’s International Studies Student Spotlight. Students were asked to share an influential experience they had that connected to their International Studies major or minor.
December 2024 - Natalia Dussán
BA International Studies (Comparative Culture and Identity); BA Latin American and Caribbean Studies; minor, Spanish ‘26
Hometown: Springfield, Virginia
Affiliations: Sigma Iota Rho, BLI x M-LEAD Leadership Certificate Program, Program Chair for Latinx Heritage Month 2023, Former intern for La Casa Culture and Diversity Department
“Although I didn't fully understand the depth of its impact at the time, the most influential class I have taken so far has been a mini-course about networking within the international studies field. The course helped me tremendously in identifying my values, strengths, and aspirations. Through this experience, I was able to learn from my more-experienced peers and the skills I acquired will undoubtedly prove useful in my academic and professional future.”
Future Plans: “I hope to soon have an internship in Washington, D.C. in a field related to human rights or immigration law. Long-term, I hope to have lived in many different countries and to have published community-based research.”
