The Next Chapter

“Wow.” The words came out as a whisper while I read the offer letter on my computer screen, “I have been accepted to attend the University of Oxford.”

Picture from @compscioxford.

From a young age, I have been curious about the people and the world around me. Intrigued on why people act and react the way that they do. Of course, at a younger age, my world was smaller. First, in Guadalajara, México, where I was born. Later, it grew to an international level when I moved to the state of Georgia in the United States at the age of 9.

In the US, my first best friend was Japanese. Sadly, I had to say good-bye after two years of knowing her because she moved back to Japan with her family. It would not be until 14 years later that Mai and I would finally reunite in Tokyo and Yokohama.

Mai and I, 2003. Peachtree City, Georgia, USA.

Mai (left), her parents (middle) and I, 2018. Yokohama, Japan.

As I have grown older, my curiosity to understand the world and the people in it grows too. I have come to realize that the world sometimes works, and it sometimes, in a catastrophic level, does not. It can be a very complicated and messy place. Particularly, when there are people with different world views that might not see the world for what it is. Therefore, the challenges in today’s society only seem to keep growing.

Misinformation and different realities put our lives at risk, but I believe that most people are more alike than we think. My experience has been that we all ultimately want the same thing. We all want to feel safe, have the best quality of life, give our kids the best education with the hope that they grow into remarkable individuals, and provide our elders and families with care. These realities tend to be universal.

At Oxford, I will be studying diplomacy. A field that I believe is essential for our global survival. The hope and passion I have for the world led me to achieve what did not seem possible.

Now, I understand the world better. I understand that the only way to save us from ourselves is to work together because not one individual (or nation) can do it alone. More than intelligence, we need wisdom. People who are smart, but more importantly, people that want to do the right thing. I see a lot of challenges ahead, but I also see a lot of opportunities. It will be up to us to decide what kind of future we want for ourselves and for the generations that follow.

Mai has allowed me to use the pictures and her name for this blog post.

The Importance of Diplomacy in the Modern World

My passion for diplomacy is a response to today's geopolitical uncertainty and conflict. Solutions to global challenges require collective action dependent on a nuanced understanding of the interests of our partners and adversaries. In fact, I see diplomacy as the only sustainable path to peace.

In a world where complexity, contrasting perspectives, and misunderstandings come in abundance, it is pivotal to come into any room with a strong moral character, knowledge of the history and of our counterparts, and a firm comprehension of the line between realism and idealism.

The objective of good diplomatic policy is having aspirations, ideals, and a vision of what the end goal should be, but also recognizing the world for how and what it is, and analyzing ways to move towards progress. The end goal for any successful nation should be a more peaceful, more inclusive, and a more tolerant society. That will become a triumph in all sectors: economically, politically, and socially. The trajectory of this planet has been of progress, but we must recognize that progress never moves in a straight line.

As I grow older and aspire to understand the world better - both nationally and internationally - I have come to the realization that curiosity, dialogue, and understanding are critical to reconciling contrasting worldviews. Diplomacy has had consequential outcomes throughout history, both beneficial and detrimental for generations that followed, and for that essential reason I believe it is crucial to have leaders that work hard in getting it right. Let’s not be afraid to ask questions, to surround ourselves with people smarter than us, to listen and understand the other side, and to stay true to oneself and who we represent. I never said it would be easy, but the alternative is far worse.

We share the world with almost 8 billion people. All of us with different histories, perspectives, needs, and understanding of the world. Our aim should be a planet where we push towards solutions for the global challenges we all face together.

The Modern Tsar: Why Russia Idolizes Vladimir Putin

This is an observation-essay I wrote in the summer of 2015 while I was studying abroad in the Russian Federation. My topic had to do with the president himself, Vladimir Putin. I asked many Russians why Putin had such high approval ratings and why so many Russians seemed to like his aggressive and firm leadership. Here is what I discovered:

For centuries, the Russian Federation has captivated the minds of scholars and intellectuals from all over the world. How to understand it? How to make sense of one of the most mysterious and fascinating nations in the world? Arguably, nothing has played a more vital role in the shaping of Russian history, and its future, than the leaders it has had over the centuries. These leaders have played a crucial role in the scars that have consumed Russian society – many ruthless, others revolutionary. There are two categories where most have taken their place in history: those who liked, and wanted, a more traditional state, and those who aimed for a more modern, Western-like Russia.

Vladimir Putin is one of the few that falls somewhere in between. As Russia’s “strongman,” he has managed to place Russia in the middle of modernity and its past. Putin is probably one of the most controversial leaders in the world, which begs the question: how can Russians, who live in a “democratic” country, support such a near-authoritarian power? And why does the President remain so popular?

These past five and a half weeks I could not help but notice the endless mugs, t-shirts, and toys with President Putin’s face adorning each artifact. As I asked many Russian natives “why do you support such a leader?” a different question was always directed at me – “America is not any better. Your system of government is actually quite weak. How can you support such a weak system?” At first, I did not understand the question, but the more I spoke with the locals, the more I realized what they meant. Russians value strength and action, and even with all his imperfections, and what seemed to me theatre-like propaganda, many Russians saw both qualities in their President.

I talked to a man named Alexander in St. Petersburg and I asked his views on the current Russian President, and to my surprise he gave me a little history lesson. He explained to me how difficult life was after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and how “useless” Boris Yeltsin had been for Russia, but once Vladimir Putin took control all of his worries and nightmares seemed to vanish. During his fifteen-year rule, Putin has managed to keep order and a “tight grip” on the countries affairs. Wages rose, the standard of living went up, and after the chaos of the 1990s, many Russians see his strong and stable leadership very positively.

When I asked one of the Russian students about this same topic, I received a similar response. She told me that the United States’s government (including the President, and especially Congress) can’t get anything done. On the other hand, in Russia, Putin makes stuff happen. 

Not only is Putin strong, at least in the eyes of many Russians, but he also protects Russia’s views and interests. The recent increase in the size of the military, and the annexation of Crimea, has widely increased his popularity.

These bold acts have shown the “strength” of the Russian Federation, and showed the West of what Russia is capable of. It has made Russia one of the key players in the world, and has demonstrated the traditional view of Russians tending to believe in a national hero rather than in their own personal strength.

Vladimir Putin has greatly impacted the world we live in today and history has a place for him. Will he be considered a great leader, or a brutal one? Will Russians continue to stand by him in the years to come, or will his unshakable rule finally crack? As each year passes, his popularity only seems to increase, but something is undeniable: Vladimir Putin has solidified his place in history.