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Youth Ambassador from Brazil successfully completed a 4-week program at UC Riverside

RIVERSIDE, CALIF. – In January, Laize Luz spent four weeks in International Education Programs (IEP) at UC Riverside Extension, brushing up on her English skills and learning more about American culture. Luz attended classes in IEP on a full scholarship from the Youth Ambassadors program. This successful program is an initiative of the U.S. Embassy in Brazil and consists of young, bright youths, from underprivileged families spending 20-25 days in the U.S. with support of the Partners of America.

Luz, 21 and an aspiring attorney, speaks rapidly in English when she talks about her experiences in America as a Youth Ambassador representing her native homeland, Brazil. “(America) is completely different from the movies,” Luz said. “It was awesome and completely different. It was fantastic.”

Intense. Idealistic. Opinionated. Intelligent. Enthusiastic. These are just some of the qualities Luz exhibits when you chat with her. Of course, these characteristics come in handy when your country selects you to travel abroad, which is what happened to Luz.

This is the second time that Luz comes to the United States. A few years ago, she was one of 20 students from Brazil selected by the Fulbright Commission to visit Washington, D.C., meet Colin Powell, and live with an American family in Nebraska.

“Laize was a delight to have on campus and she was able to make friendships with students from all over the world,” said Guilherme Almeida, director of Marketing for IEP. Luz was the first Youth Ambassador from Brazil and her presence at UC Riverside Extension is part of a pilot project that IEP hopes to expand in the future. “We are always looking for ways to support and promote international education around the world,” said Dr. Sheila Dwight, director of International Education Programs and associate dean at UC Riverside Extension.

“UC Riverside is a great place to study. I would like to stay but I can’t,” Luz said the day before she left. Laize has returned home to continue her studies as a law student at Catholica University. She also volunteers her skills and talents in her country to help families who cannot afford a lawyer. She hopes one day to work for the United Nations upholding and protecting human rights.

Luz has a real passion for international education and she is already thinking about her next project. When she gets home, she will finish an essay about international education, which she hopes will land her the opportunity to travel to Paris, France, for three weeks. Good luck, Luz!

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