Ana Belen de Abril Garc铆a Inga grew up in Lima, 笔别谤煤, dreaming of someday becoming president of that South American country.
Her reason was simple: 鈥淚 just want to improve Peruvian lives and help my home.鈥
Garc铆a Inga knew if she wanted to fulfill her goal, she needed to take a risk, and an international one at that. She is now more than 3,500 miles from home studying in the at 性视界传媒 with hopes of returning to serve her country.
The freshman government and international politics major chose Mason due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., and the opportunities afforded by a location near the seat of American government. 鈥淚 wanted to go somewhere that has faculty with more experience in international relations and be close to everything happening in the world,鈥 she said.
Garc铆a Inga became interested in government and economics at a young age.
鈥淕rowing up, it was easy to see the complicated politics of 笔别谤煤 and I wanted to learn more about it and how to someday hopefully fix it,鈥 she said. She added that studying international relations and government is not as common in 笔别谤煤 and she wanted to attend a school where she knew she would have access to the best resources available.
After attending a Model UN conference in the U.S., she knew this was where she wanted to pursue her education. So far, the university has exceeded her expectations.
鈥溞允咏绱 gives you so many connections to important people in the government, and what better place to study about the world than in Washington D.C., one of the most important cities in the world?鈥
As for her American education, 鈥渢he professors in the Schar School are really passionate about what they are teaching, which helps make me more interested in the class and they really care about their students,鈥 she said, adding that she already feels more passionate about what she鈥檚 studying鈥攊f that were possible.
In the future, Garc铆a Inga looks forward to finishing her degree and attending a graduate program or work for an international organization.