Undergraduate Mexican Recipients 2007-08

Ana Cecilia Herrera Rodriquez– Universidad de Guadalajara

Host University – University of Western Sydney

Ana Cecilia is studying International Studies at the Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico. Ana Cecilia believes studying in Australia will allow her to appreciate her own culture from a different perspective and at the same time, give her an opportunity to learn about Australian history, politics and lifestyle.

Anna Lee Mraz Bartra

Home University – Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Host University – Queensland University of Technology

Anna Lee is studying Sociology at the UNAM in Mexico City. Anna Lee believes that she has to understand the world in order to make it a better place. Anna Lee is concerned about the wellbeing of others and has worked independently and in NGOs to raise awareness of problems caused by violence. Anna Lee enjoys learning languages and belongs to a literary discussion group. Anna Lee believes the Peace Scholarship will bring her in direct contact with the issues of global peace and understanding, which she hopes to apply in her future work and studies.

Arcelia Esther Paz Padilla

Home University – Universidad Autonoma de Baja California

Host University – Monash University

Arcelia Paz is a third year Psychology student and believes her time in Australia will help broaden her horizons and allow her to study contemporary issues in cross-cultural Psychology. Areclia’s long term plans include specialising in either Social or Health Psychology and focusing on under developed communities in Mexico. Arcelia has been involved with religious Scouts organisation ‘Pathfinders” since 1998 and is a volunteer at a public hospital, working with infants. Arcelia also writes for a local newspaper about college related issues.

Carlos Eduardo Rangel Juarez

Home University – Autonomous University of Queretaro

Host University – Monash University

Carlos Rangel is a psychology student and founded Apollame IAP, an institution committed to helping and promoting values to the local youth. Carlos received a scholarship to work as an international volunteer in Peru. This experience opened his mind to new ideas and Carlos believes his participation in the Peace Scholarship Program will develop his ideas further and help him become more motivated and dedicated.

Carlos Ignacio Carpizo Riva Palacio

Home University – Centro de Investigacion y Docencia Economicas (CIDE)

Host University – La Trobe University

Carlos Carpizo is in his third year of an undergraduate degree in Economics. Carlos recently received the Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Award and attended the Global Leadership Institute in New York along with 50 students from all around the world. In high school, Carlos was part of a group of students that founded a Leadership Program which organised community service, managed fundraising activities and improved relationships between students and professors. Carlos aspires to work in the economic area of the Mexican public administration such as the Central Bank or the Secretary of the Treasury. Carlos plans to attend the Harvard JFK School of Government when he finishes his undergraduate program.

Claudia Paulina Navarro Nunez

Home University – Universidad de Guadalajara

Host University – Edith Cowan University

Paulina Navarro is a student of Chemistry Pharmacobiology. Paulina believes it is the responsibility for young people to find and promote ways to make this world a better place to live in. Paulina tries to apply this through her daily life and as a scout she works constantly with the community, helping in disasters, marginalised communities, etc. Paulina has also worked with ethnic groups of her region, trying to create an environment of understanding and plurality.

Daniela Arias Vargas

Home University – Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro

Host University – Griffith University

Psychology has always intrigued Daniela, and is motivated to help people be more comfortable and confident. Daniela aspires to be an innovative member of her community by providing new methodologies for solving tough social issues and restoring people’s dignity. Daniela looks forward to discovering Australia culture.

Daniel Hernandez Armada

Home University - Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro

Host University – Curtin University

Daniel Hernandez is a third year student of Food Chemistry. Daniels passions are science, nature and meeting new people. Daniel has participated in projects such as “Pollonavidad” where he and his friends organised and Christmas party for poor children of the state. Daniel also volunteers at a community school as a professor teaching people to read and write. As a Food Chemist, Daniel plans to do research to improve food quality, and to make quality food accessible to everyone. Daniel hopes his experience studying in Australia will help him to change his teaching, learning, researching, working and living approaches in order to extend his personal and scientific skills.

Eduardo Neve Jimenez

Home University – Autonomous Metropolitan University of Mexico

Host University – Macquarie University

Eduardo Neve is an enthusiastic student in Human Geography. Eduardo thinks studying in Australia will help him develop creative ways of making a positive impact in the world. Eduardo is actively involved in various environmental campaigns and constantly seeks to promote understanding. Eduardo believes that conflict resolution starts in everyday interactions.

Froylan Garcia Medina

Home University – Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Host University – University of Southern Queensland

As a student of international relations, Froylan wishes to obtain a degree studying security and human rights. Froylan would like to take an active roll in an international organisation such as the UN working in security-related areas on peace-keeping missions or working with international refugees. To obtain these goals, Froylan hops to improve his research and leadership skills and to master foreign languages.

Gabriela Gaona Villarreal

Home University – Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro

Host University – Southern Cross University

Gabriela studies Human Nutrition and has always been interested in natural sciences especially biology and chemistry. Gabriela decided to study nutrition because that way she can help others by doing what she loves most. Gabriela believes studying in Australia will give her a new perspective and will provide her with knowledge to improve the situation of her home country.

Gabriela Sanchez Ortiz

Home University – Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro

Host University – Monash University

Gabriela Sanchez has a major interest in community work as well as in education. Gabriela is an English teacher and a Nutrition student and has been involved as a volunteer in public programs such as working with homeless children, teaching adults to read and write, and also as a missionary. Gabriela looks forward to working in an international institution, education children to eat healthily, to prevent chronic degenerative diseases, and working against malnutrition.

Hector Romandia

Home University – Instuto Tecnologico de Hermosillo

Host University – Swinburne University of Technology

Hector Martinez is in his forth semester of Industrial Engineering. Hector speaks Spanish, English and French. Hector is a volunteer fire-fighter in his city, and in the past has been involved in boy scouts and the military service. Since a child, Hector has fascinated by travelling and Hector believes the opportunity to study in Australia is a dream come true. Hector believes the Peace Scholarship Program will help him explore and understand new cultures and ways of thinking.

Jesica Liliana Alavez Sanchez

Home University – Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon

Host University – Deakin University

Jesica Alavez is studying to obtain a psychology degree. Jesica has always been interested in human behaviour and what makes people different. Jesica is President of the Alumni Piel Roja, an organising working with people affected by poverty. Jesica has also been involved in missionary work.

Leobardo Abundez Escorcia

Home University – Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla

Host University - University of Tasmania

Leobardo Abundez Escorcia is an International Relations student in the Autonomous University of Puebla in Mexico and is very passionate about international affairs and global social issues. Leobardo wants to travel to Australia to better understand issues in a different part of the world. Leobardo is a member of Model United Nations on his college, and has also worked with an NGO providing social assistance.

Maria Fernanda Mujica Azuara

Home University – Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon

Host University – Queensland University of Technology

Maria is a fourth semester student with outstanding results, studying a psychology major. Maria is concerned about the welfare of her community and is involved in NGOs working with children with Down syndrome, mistreated children and as a missionary in rural communities. Maria believes studying in Australia will be a unique opportunity to leverage her personal and professional development, embrace new cultural perspectives and enhance the application of her social experience and educational background among a developed environment.

Maria Sanchez Vieyra

Home University - Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Host University – University of Tasmania

Mariana is a third year sociology student, and believes studying in Australia will allow her to develop a deeper appreciation of the Australian culture and history. Mariana has been involved in an NGO participating as a volunteer teaching children to read, and providing education to both children and adults in poor areas of Mexico City.

Mariano Sanchez Talanguer

Home University – Centro de Investigacion y Docencia Economicas (CIDE)

Host University – La Trobe University

Mariano is a political science and international relations student. Mariano believes studying in Australia will allow him to understand other cultures and interact with people with different ideas to his own. Mariano is a member of a non-profit foundation helping vulnerable minority groups. In the future, Mariano would like to work as a professor and researcher at a university and to continue working with excluded groups such as indigenous people.

Maria Fernando Borja Arvizu

Home University – University of Guadalajara

Host University – James Cook University

Maria Fernanda Borja Arvizu is a third year student studying International Studies. Maria collaborates with the National Institute of Criminal Sciences where she has participated in different forums of discussion. Maria loves to read Mexican literature and practise Capoeira. As a person committed to global peace, Maria has participated in two United Nations Models, representing Russia in the security council in 2005 and Argentina in the Human Rights Council in 2007. Maria is working to enter to the Matias Romero Institute of Foreign Affairs to become a Mexican diplomat and believes studying in Australia will contribute greatly to her commitment to global peace.

Nara Elizabeth Lara Pompa

Home University – Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro

Host University – Central Queensland University

Nara Elizabeth Lara is studying Human Nutrition and has a keen interest in participating in academic activities such as conferences and research projects within and outside the faculty. Nara has also been involved in several community and social service activities relating to health promotion and wildlife conservation. Nara believes it is through understanding and knowledge of people’s believes and customs that a nutritionist can achieve an impact on the health of a society. Nara believes studying in Australia will enhance her global appreciation of health concerns and enrich her academic knowledge and her personal growth.

Sandra Mora Vieyra

Home University – Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro

Host University – Monash University

As a student of biomedical sciences, Sandra Mora is interested in understanding the properties of traditional medicinal plants and their potential for healing major diseases. Sandra has been part of a leadership groups where she has participated in volunteer work, and provided leadership programs to high school students. Sandra believes her experience in Australia will help her grown professionally and personally.

Victor Antonio Gomez Gil Juarez

Home University – Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Host University – La Trobe University

Victor is a second year student studying international relations. Victor studies situations of many countries and tries to offer practical resolutions, understanding differences in cultures. Victor loves animals and is creating an organisation to promote animal rights.

Ursula Saldivar Davila

Home University – Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon

Host University – University of Newcastle

Ursula is studying psychology and is involved in several groups promoting human rights and education. Ursula believes education is one of the greatest tools to establish long lasting peace. Ursula is actively involved in college activities, especially in the student council. Ursula hopes to finish her degree and start her own institution working with teenagers.