Diego Santos Rosas

Born: New York, NY (Manhattan) (Argentine and Brazilian by technical and genetic default)

High school: Escola Graduada de Sao Paulo (The American International School in Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Major(s): International Affairs and Economics

Recent Events:

I just returned from a spectacular summer involving family and friends. The month of June was spent Sao Paulo, Brazil, where I was fortunate enough to catch up with some high school friends and continue my exploration of the infinite boundaries of the city of Sao Paulo. Before coming to college I lived there for almost ten years or more; this summer was the first time I have ever visited the Asian communities in Sao Paulo. I learned that Sao Paulo inhabits the largest Japanese colony outside of Japan. That might go for Koreans as well, as there were many of them in a nearby neighborhood.

July was spent a bit a London visiting my father and getting ready to go on a family expedition to China to visit my brother who had been studying abroad in Shanghai. During that one week, I was fortunate enough to make a quick trip to Germany and catch the Brazil and Ghana match. I sat really close to the goal-keeper and was able to witness Ronaldo’s spectacular goal! The world-cup vibe was surreal: Brazilians, Germans, French, Spanish, and Africans cheering together in Dortmund! That was probably a product of too much curryvurst and large pints of Erdinger beer, but it was more than worth it!

A week later I was on the plane going from London to Shanghai, experiencing my longest direct flight in my entire life! As many might already know, China is the city of the future --- just take one look at the quantity of architectural projects being erected simultaneously and the sky-rocketing economic figures, and you know that in a few years you will be wishing you spoke Mandarin. From Xi’an’s terracotta warriors to Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and Great Wall, visiting China was like going to Disney World without the plastic part. It was real.

The rest of July and August I spent studying at the London School of Economics, attempting to complete a requirement for my Major in IA and at the same time gather research information for my thesis.

Right now I am engaging in rigorous work for my thesis in International Affairs. The subject topic, which I have not clearly specified yet, will discuss regional reform and economic policies within the European Union. The reason I chose this topic is because I am really interested in regional organizations and I believe the EU is a good case study to look at --- perhaps the same concept could be applied to the Asian and South American regions. I am also an Economics major. I see this as an opportunity to developing further research and analytical skills of which I think are important for my first choice as an IA major.

After this year, I do not have any fixed plans yet. I am hoping to conclude my studies and venture off to London, where my parents live and where good job opportunities are available for my kind of degrees and interests. Good luck to you all!!!