Latin America & the Caribbean Research

Migration policy was the focus of most of my research during my Master’s in Latin American Studies at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies in 2023-2024. For a course on Deportations & Border, I analyzed the relationship among the public, private and third sectors administering emergency migrant shelter and aid in New York City and Massachusetts. In November 2023, the Center for Latin American Studies at the Pardee School invited me to speak on a panel for Careers in Legal Advocacy for Latin American Immigrants and Political Prisoners. Lots of gratitude to the Center and for supporting my studies and inviting me to meet former president of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernández, and former president of Mexico, Ernesto Zedillo, for engaging discussions on globalization.

I traveled to Mexico City in December 2023 to conduct research for my master's paper titled “Enhancing the State Department’s Humanitarian Aid and Multilateral Policies Addressing Migration in Mexico.” Budgetary and data-driven policy analysis are key components of my research, which offers three concrete recommendations for policymakers’ consideration for migration reform that is consistent, humanitarian and effective. I submitted the final paper on March 29, 2024 and after my Masters Defense in April, I presented my research at the Global Challenges and Solutions for the 21st Century graduate conference hosted by the Pardee Atlas. Leaders at the UN IOM Mexico cited myr research during budget negotiations, proof that academic policy work can make a tangible impact.

It’s important to conduct research on a range of topics. In May 2021, the Romance Studies Department issued me the Romance Studies Book Award for my paper titled “La constelación perdida de las estrellas aztecas.” In order to understand the formation of New Spain, the era must be reformulated from the perspective of the indigenous Aztec people, not the conquerors. My paper offers two linguistic alternatives to la conquista that more accurately reflect the events as a derrumbamiento or “collapse” and a masacre or “massacre.” Muchas gracias to Professor Colmenares for supporting my project and finding meaning in a body of work written in my second language. In April 2024, I had the pleasure to revamp the paper and present it to the Remembered & Forgotten Conference hosted by the Graduate Romance Studies Department. Switching gears to my biggest passion — soccer — I authored a comprehensive history of World Cup public diplomacy, spanning nearly a century of how the beautiful game and diplomacy often interlink. Those fluent in Portuguese might also appreciate my research on the fascinating history of the vibrant lusophonic community in Massachusetts. Muito obrigado, Professor Cruz!

For my Intro to Latin American Politics course during my senior year of undergrad, I wrote a paper titled “Where Did It Go Wrong? Mercosur’s Path from Success to Slump.” Former Ambassador Jorge Heine gave me an decent grade and told me it had room for improvement. Back in the drawing room I revised and added more to this paper which I thought had a lot of potential. This potential was realized in the spring, when I had the opportunity to present it at the 2022 Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research Conference and the 2022 International Association of Political Science Students (IAPSS) Conference on student panels discussing international issues. I’ve learned much under his tutelage as a Research Assistant focusing on a range of topics from Active Non-Alignment in the Global South to Brazil’s diplomatic relations regarding wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Cool Story

Despite having paid professional experience in both fields, I took a course this spring on public speaking and speechwriting. Our first homework assignment? Watch the West Wing. There is always more to learn from genius mind of Aaron Sorkin.