Graduating student speaker Gabriela Espinoza reflects on her international journey

Today
Rikki Mioduski, Arizona International
A young woman wearing a navy blue graduation gown and several stoles stands on a grassy area of the University of Arizona campus during golden hour. She smiles confidently, holding the ends of her stoles, which feature the University of Arizona, Eller College of Management, and other honors logos. She wears a red dress and white high-heeled sandals. Behind her, large trees and red-brick campus buildings are bathed in warm sunlight, creating a celebratory and serene atmosphere.

When Gabriela Espinoza takes the stage as the student speaker at this year’s Global Graduation – International Celebration at the University of Arizona, she won’t just be celebrating her accomplishments—she’ll represent a generation of international students who dared to dream across borders.

Originally from the picturesque city of Puno, Peru, and raised in Arequipa, Gabriela has always been deeply curious and driven by a global mindset. “From a young age, I was drawn to numbers and problem-solving,” she shares. “But beyond that, I’ve always thrived in dynamic, international environments—whether it’s leading a team, joining global programs, or participating in Model United Nations.”

This duality of analytical precision and cross-cultural connections has guided Gabriela through her academic journey. She’s now graduating with a dual degree in Business Administration and International Business from the University of Arizona and La Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC) in Lima, Peru.

Her decision to pursue a dual degree was rooted in a lifelong entrepreneurial spirit. “Even as a kid, I’d recreate American-style lemonade stands in Peru,” Gabriela recalled. She later channeled that passion into community-focused small businesses through her involvement in Scouts and Rotary’s Interact Club. That experience, combined with studying in the U.S. during high school, cemented her desire to understand business from both local and global perspectives.

Coming to Tucson to complete her studies was a natural next step. “I wanted to immerse myself in the U of A culture and challenge myself academically and personally,” she said. She found more than just an academic home at the U of A. She discovered a vibrant, supportive environment that encouraged her growth as a student and a leader.

A young woman in a black blazer and patterned skirt stands smiling by a riverside railing in an urban setting. She wears a name badge and poses confidently with tall glass and steel skyscrapers and a bridge in the background. The river reflects the buildings and soft evening light, suggesting a professional event or conference in a city like Chicago. The scene captures a blend of personal achievement and metropolitan energy.

Gabriela immersed herself in campus life, joining the Finance Club, Rotaract Club, and the swimming club. However, it was her involvement with the Model United Nations team that left the biggest impression. Traveling to Chicago for the American MUN conference, she engaged with students from around the world, debated global issues, and stepped into a leadership role that pushed her beyond her comfort zone. “I was representing a country, collaborating with others, and learning in a high-pressure, professional environment. It reminded me why I love international relations and business,” she said.

A Magna Cum Laude graduate, Gabriela’s academic achievements are matched by her professional accomplishments. She won a business case competition for Walmart in a business communication course, and her sustainability-focused skincare startup, Samiria, earned top honors in a campus startup competition. Her degree, she says, is the foundation for her aspirations: to work in international trade or finance, and to eventually launch a startup that promotes innovation and sustainable growth, particularly in underserved communities in Peru.

Gabriela sees her time at the U of A as transformative. “I’ve become more disciplined, more confident, and more purposeful,” she reflected. “I learned to work across cultures, communicate with empathy, and think globally.” Being chosen as the student speaker is, to her, a powerful acknowledgment of that journey. “I’m proud to represent so many international students who have worked hard to be here,” she said. Her message to her fellow graduates will be one of courage, gratitude, and purpose: “We all come from different places, but we’ve grown together. Now we’re ready to make a difference.”

As she explores job opportunities and considers launching her own business, Gabriela remains grounded in her mission: to use business as a tool for ethical, inclusive, and sustainable impact. “Home is now a feeling,” she said. “It’s in the people who support me and in the values I carry. I’ll always be rooted in Peru—but I see myself as a citizen of the world.”