Graduate student from Venezuela finds community and purpose at U of A
Diana Ramos is an international student from Venezuela with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and is now pursuing a master's in Latin American Studies at the University of Arizona. During her undergraduate, Ramos was a student-athlete competing in the Arizona Track and Field team as a high jumper. She sat down with us to share what it was like to be an international student-athlete, and how those experiences motivated her to pursue graduate studies and contribute to her community.
“My graduate research is about international student-athletes from Latin American countries and the social connectedness they experience in college athletics,” Ramos said. “Some data that I have found is that there is less than one percent of international student-athletes from Latin-American countries are in Division I institutions so I'm trying to look into what are some of the challenges they experience, how they adapt to overcome the challenges, and just the impact it has to their college experience.”
As a former student-athlete, Ramos shares how she discovered a sense of community in diverse places. She found community within the track and field team, with international student-athletes, the School of Journalism, and her graduate school cohort. Although she joined multiple communities during her undergraduate, Ramos explains that she felt most at home with her international student-athlete friends.
“It was really fun, we just bonded about mispronouncing different words,” she said. “Just talking about the different meals that we've been eating here that we haven't really eaten before. That was the community I felt I belonged to the most, just because we just really bonded over so many things that we share.”
Ramos reflects on the three people she met from her home country Venezuela. She formed unique bonds with each of them individually, connecting over shared hometown slang and finding joy in those personal connections. Ramos attributes her inspiration to pursue a master's in Latin American studies to a Venezuelan friend who works at the Latin American studies department. This friend soon became a mentor for Ramos and encouraged her to continue her education in a field that resonated with her interests.
Throughout her years in Tucson, Ramos developed a deep appreciation for the city where she has spent much of her academic and athletic life. She now considers Tucson a second home she has grown to love and embrace.
“I think Tucson just has personality. It's very eclectic with the community. Wherever you go everybody is always really nice,” Ramos describes. “It always feels welcoming, and it's colorful and I really enjoy that. I love the mountains that surround it. It just feels really unique. It's a place that you go and can say ‘Okay, this is Tucson’. You can't compare it with someplace else.”
Over the summer, Ramos worked as a peer mentor for New Start, a program that supports and encourages incoming Arizona students. This role follows her experiences in various internships, including positions as a reporter at the Arizona Daily Star and with the Bilingual Future Studio. Through her mentor position, Ramos hopes that she inspires and guides her students to make well informed decisions and make the best out of their college experience.
Looking ahead, Ramos is considering a career in advising or event planning. Still, her biggest ambition is to become a sports journalist, especially with a focus on covering the Olympics.
Ramos aspires to be a source of inspiration and lasting change in her life. “The impact I want to have in the world is to teach people," she said. "I want them to learn something meaningful, whether it’s about working effectively in teams or being more inclusive in their policies.” Through her passion for education and advocacy, Ramos hopes to leave a positive mark on those around her.