“There is no price that can compensate [for] the personal growth you obtain after two years at Georgetown,” says Alberto Maresca (LAS’25) as he concludes his master’s degree in Latin American studies. Originally from Sorrento, Italy, Maresca knows firsthand that pursuing graduate studies abroad is no easy feat. However, the opportunities he’s accessed in Washington, DC, have deepened his understanding of diplomacy and strengthened his commitment to serving the Global South.
A multidisciplinary approach to international relations
Georgetown’s Master of Arts in Latin American Studies, based out of the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS), offers multiple entry points into the region—across politics, culture, economics and history.
“The MA program at Georgetown CLAS is designed for students from all walks of life who genuinely love Latin America and the Caribbean,” Maresca says.
He recalls receiving meaningful support even before arriving on campus, particularly from Julie McMurtry, the program’s associate director. Maresca also cherishes the mentorship of Professor Angelo Rivero Santos, CLAS’s director of academic affairs. His favorite course, International Organizations, was taught by Rivero Santos and examined the changing nature of inter-hemispheric relations in the twenty-first century.
During his first year, Maresca deepened his engagement with the program by working as a research assistant for Professor Michael Reed-Hurtado and a teaching assistant for Professor Paul Manuel. Energized by the faculty and his peers, he describes the environment as intellectually invigorating: “You always have something to understand, to comprehend, to learn from the people that surround you.”
Foreign policy in action and first-hand global experiences
As a student, Maresca found opportunities to engage with international relations both in and out of the classroom. He recalls the wide range of events hosted by CLAS, especially those featuring Latin American ambassadors from Costa Rica, Chile and Honduras.
“You have a direct experience with high-ranking diplomats from the Latin America region, and it really makes this interaction unforgettable,” he says.
He also took full advantage of the program’s location in Washington, DC, taking the Metro straight to the doorsteps of global diplomacy. Visiting embassies quickly became a highlight of his experience.
“I can safely say I’ve been to every Latin American embassy in DC,” Maresca says with a laugh.
Beyond visiting, Maresca applied his academic training directly through a political affairs internship at the Embassy of Mexico. Last summer, he took his learning to the field, conducting research in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay for his capstone project. There, he met with diplomats and foreign policy experts, gaining firsthand insight into the region’s international relations and diplomatic strategies.
Looking forward to serving the Global South
Maresca hopes to pursue a Ph.D. outside of Italy, with the goal of developing innovative political strategies tailored to the needs of the Global South.
As he reflects on his time at Georgetown, it’s the small moments that leave the deepest impression—the spontaneous conversations, the shared insights, and the inspiration drawn from peers.
“I will surely miss the unique opportunity of always finding on-campus some student who, in a simple conversation, will inspire me forever,” he says. “My proactivity during the MA program paid off in building a worldwide network of friends and colleagues I’ll carry with me throughout the following years.”
He also recalls powerful encounters with fellow students whose backgrounds reflect the diverse realities of Latin America. He shares how he met peers from complex rural regions who, without CLAS, might not have had the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in the United States.
Those interactions left a lasting mark and a sense of purpose that he will take with him beyond the Hilltop: “I fully grasped the motivation to serve your community back home and bring the know-how learned at Georgetown to better the lives of your loved ones.”