Mariana De Lucio became the first scholarship recipient from UNAM-Boston's Faculty of Law to complete her professional internships as part of her graduation requirements, and she has recently achieved the remarkable feat of securing two scholarships to pursue her master's degree at the University of Oxford.
Mariana participated in the Graduation Program for UNAM Graduates through professional internships at UNAM's overseas branches (TPP) in 2019, becoming the first graduate of the Faculty of Law to obtain her degree through this collaboration with UNAM Boston.
During her professional internships, Mariana worked on various projects with the Human Rights Clinic at Boston University, actively addressing human rights issues affecting migrants in the New England region. She also participated in various legal workshops at prestigious universities in the area, including Harvard, Boston University, and the University of Massachusetts.
For Mariana, being immersed in an academic environment facilitated by UNAM Boston allowed her to explore the diverse array of opportunities available to law graduates seeking to make a positive impact on the world. This inspired her to pursue a master's degree in public policy at the University of Oxford. She adds that her time at this branch was instrumental in enhancing her professional and academic career, making her a more competitive, prepared, and open-minded individual due to the multicultural exposure she gained during her internship.
Mariana not only gained admission to the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford but also received scholarships from the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust and Chevening.
The first scholarship is exclusive to Oxford students and covers full tuition and living expenses. It also includes a leadership program designed to help scholars enhance their skills through philosophy seminars, communication techniques preparation, entrepreneur challenges, and debate programs. This year, 33 individuals from 24 countries were accepted, including Mariana, who is the second UNAM scholar to enter this program and the first female from UNAM to achieve this distinction.
On the other hand, Chevening is a scholarship program sponsored by the British government, with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, among other organizations. They provide full scholarships for pursuing master's degrees in the United Kingdom, with a focus on bringing together individuals with leadership potential and influence who demonstrate a genuine commitment and dedication to creating a positive impact in their countries and communities. In the 23-24 edition, approximately 75% of the scholars are women, with 11 coming from UNAM.
We take great pride in the success of one of our branch's graduates in pursuing postgraduate studies. Just like her, we hope that more UNAM graduates will continue with their professional projects, and that more individuals will consider Boston as a valuable part of their academic journey.