Student SpotlightLitzy Bautista '23
Majors: Latin American Studies and Political Science

"Being a Latin American Studies major has helped me understand how a country's history shapes its culture and political decisions and also to interpret changes in societies. Growing up, most of the history I learned was focused on the United States. During the first Latin American Studies class I took, Modern Mexican History with Professor Colby Ristow, I learned a lot about myself and my Mexican culture. The course helped me understand why many people from Mexico, like my parents, come to the U.S. as a result of political and economic tensions. I am most excited to use the tools and knowledge I have gained to investigate the cross-cultural connection between the Mapuche people and everyday Chileans while studying abroad in Valparaíso, Chile next semester.”