Post by Laura Troitiño Marin

A few months have passed since my exchange year at UCLA ended, and I feel incredibly grateful for everything I experienced, both academically and personally. Studying at the #1 public university in the U.S. was such a privilege, and I’m thankful to both UCLA and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid for this opportunity. There, I took courses which were key to my academic path, like Law and Politics of Immigration, Business Law, and International Development, but also others that broadened my perspective, such as Dialogue Across Difference, where I learned how our backgrounds and privileges shape the way we move through the world. Beyond academics, UCLA gave me the chance to connect with people from all over the world. Joining UNICEF at UCLA reminded me why I care so deeply about social impact, and participating in the CGC dialogue on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict taught me the value of empathy, perspective, and truly listening in difficult conversations. This year left a permanent mark on me. It strengthened my commitment to human rights, global cooperation, and the belief that dialogue can genuinely make a difference. Once a Bruin, always a Bruin 💛💙 #UCLA #ExchangeYear