Anahi Cortada

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“Graduating magna cum laude from Georgetown University provided me with a great deal of reassurance and pride. When I came from Cuba nine years ago, I never imagined that what I was dreaming at that time could actually become a reality.”

  • Program: 2012 Graduate Scholarship Recipient
  • Resides: Hialeah, FL
  • Hometown: Havana, Cuba
  • Age: 24

Biography

Profile: Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, now Graduate Scholar Anahi Cortada had a busy few years at Georgetown University. Anahi graduated with honors in the spring of 2012 after transferring to the historic Jesuit University from Miami-Dade College in Florida. During her time as “a Hoya,” Anahi spent a semester at the university’s campus in Turkey where she studied issues affecting the Eastern Mediterranean region and also completed a crash course in conflict analysis education at the US Institute of Peace. She worked in the Department of Theology doing research on the Yoruba religion and assisted a religion professor who was writing a book. Anahi interned at the Salzburg Global seminar in Austria where she helped organize a seminar on sustainable development and global citizenship. Anahi arrived in the US nine years ago from Cuba speaking very little English and with few financial resources. She developed her language skills at and graduated with honors from Miami-Dade College.  What was and remains her motivation? “I am motivated by my mother’s sacrifices and my career goal of becoming a lawyer. Both help me gather the strength to continue moving forward.”     

Inspiration: Back in high school in Florida, Stuart Carlin, was one of Anahi’s teachers. “Mr. Carlin was one of my greatest sources of support and he opened my eyes to the future I could achieve in the United States.” It was Mr. Carlin who transmitted Anahi the confidence he had in her abilities to succeed and guided her to begin a whole new experience in America.
 
Aspiration: Anahi wants to become a lawyer.
 
Making a Difference: “When I transferred from Miami-Dade, I felt that I was a step closer to the goal I had set when I was 15 years old, but a series of doubts and insecurities still clouded the joy with which the acceptance letter had provided me. I had taken the decision of leaving my mother behind to continue my education, but I was afraid I could not succeed.” However, Anahi said, “these past three years showed me that we are always able to respond to the challenges and adversities we encounter in life. The solution to these depends on the motivation, determination, and perseverance with which we face them.”
 
Accolades: Anahi was a Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society member, graduated Georgetown magna cum laude and received the US President's Volunteer Service Award                                                                                                                           
 
Interesting Fact: When growing up, Anahi won several talent competitions for salsa dancing.

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