2018-Austin Botelho

 

Austin Botelho

First Major: International Affairs
Second Major: Economics Dual Degree:

300 Word Statement

Though hardly the treacherous trans-Atlantic journey Marquis de Lafayette made to battle, my joining the Lafayette community was motivated by the same wide-eyed curiosity and idealism.
Inspired by the example of Lafayette to go beyond our comfort zone, I embraced new experiences and immersed myself in diverse perspectives. I assumed leadership positions in Kaleidoscope and the International Students Association. I journeyed to El Salvador with Alternative School Break, to Madagascar for the Lafayette Initiative for Malagasy Education, to Portugal on study abroad, and to Middlebury, Vermont where I went seven weeks without speaking a word of English while learning Portuguese. Like the Marquis, I took initiative when finding internships with Fábrica de Startups, a startup accelerator in Lisbon, and the United States’ Department of State.
Inside the classroom, I tackled a range of global issues drawing from the assorted theoretical and methodological frameworks cultivated by my double major in International Affairs and Economics. I learned from prior research assistantships the skills to prepare for my joint honors thesis on the effect of income inequality on populist sentiment in Europe. Just as the Marquis sought to aid budding liberalism in the United States, I am returning the favor by investigating the creeping authoritarianism in France and the rest of Europe. For my presentation at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research, I employed the public speaking poise and swift thinking gained from participation in the Fed Challenge.
I am humbled by my consideration for the Pepper Prize. My growth over the past four years is a testament to the robustness of the Lafayette community. Aided by supportive classmates and faculty, I am exceedingly grateful for the opportunities that I have been afforded.

Academic Activities/Awards – Total Years Involved

  • Marquis Scholar (4)

A merit based scholarship valued at $100,000 over 4 years

  • Honors Thesis in International Affairs and Economics (1)

My research is at the nexus of politics, economics and sociology while touching on hot-buttons issues of populism and inequality. It adds to existing discourse by being one of the first papers   to quantitatively measure “populism” through a factor analysis and test existing theories on its causes. With help from my advisors, I won a grant to present my findings at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.

  • EXCEL Research in Economics (1)

Under the supervision of Professor Ruebeck, I investigated the effectiveness of the Easton Area Community Center’s Summer Nights Program on reducing summer learning loss and building developmental assets. Through this research, I worked 4 days per week at the center as an educator and Spanish translator.

  • International Affairs Research Assistant (1)

Aided Professor Von Wahl’s case study on the Intersex movement’s successful mobilization of the United Nations to pressure the German government in changing its gender laws by constructing a timeline of events, editing drafts, and creating contact lists.

  • Study Abroad Lisbon, Portugal (1)

Successfully petitioned Lafayette to direct enroll in the University of Lisbon’s Institute for Economics and Management. There, I took a bilingual course load in English and Portuguese of advance economics and international affairs classes.

  • Federal Reserve Challenge (1)

The Economics Department selected me to represent Lafayette in a competition that simulates the Federal Reserve. I was nominated by the team to be one of the presenters. Through hard work from all those who were involved, we earned 2nd place at the Regional Competition.

  • Honors Societies (2)

Inducted my Junior year into Phi Beta Kappa (overall performance), Sigma Iota Rho (international affairs), and Omicron Delta Epsilon (economics).

  • Robert Pastor Lecture Series Committee Representative (3)

The Robert Pastor Lecture Series is the preeminent lecture in the International Affairs department. Over the years, it is responsible for bringing Jimmy Carter, Joseph Nye, Lakdhar Brahimi and others to campus.

  • Fulbright Scholar Semi-Finalist (1)

I applied to a Master’s in European Studies program in Belgium through the Fulbright Commission. I have been shortlisted to receive the awards and am waiting on a final decision.

  • Dean’s List All Semesters (4)

In every semester as a Lafayette student, I earned recognition on the Dean’s List.

Campus Services/Activities and Awards – Total Years Involved

  • Kaleidoscope Peer Educator (3)

Kaleidoscope is a group of students that takes on an active role in campus education on issues of multiculturalism, equity, and social justice. We have been called upon the administration to run programming for Orientation, the First Year Commons, Our Beloved Community, and Prologue as well as by other student organizations such as Greek Life and ASB. In addition, we sponsor a range of workshops, discussions, and presentations to address and evolving political and cultural climate. For the past two years, I have been co-coordinator.

  • International Student Association (ISA) (4)

I currently serve as President, but in the past, I have been Peer Advisor and Activities Coordinator. ISA organizes programming for one of the largest and most diverse clubs on campus. This begins from the time they are accepted through graduation with notable events including International Orientation, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Extravaganza and countless others.

  •  Model United Nations (2)

Represented Austria in the UPenn Model UN and served as club’s co-President. This included preparing materials for weekly discussions on international institutions and world events.

  • Grossman House Scholar (1)

Selected to be a resident of the Grossman House for Global Perspectives in regular discussion on global affairs.

  • Dean of Equity and Inclusion Search Committee (1)

Was one of three student representatives to the committee tasked with selecting a new Dean of Equity Inclusion. This included screening applicants, defining criteria, and conducting interviews.

  • Lafayette Intercultural Networking Council (LINC) (1)

LINC is a collection of student leaders involved with multicultural programming who want to increase collaboration between groups. At meetings, I represented both Kaleidoscope and ISA.

  • Mark Aurand Campaign for State Senate (1)

Participated in phone and voter outreach

  • Student Government Assistant Representative (1)

Contributed to initiatives of the Student Affairs committee, most notably, the launch of Lafsync.

Community Service – Total Years Involved

  • Lafayette Initiative for Malagasy Education (LIME) (2)

One of 10 students nominated and selected to be a Peer Mentor to high school students in Madagascar. We developed three weeks of educational material for two different levels preparing them for college entrance exams and applications. Connections between us and the students continue long after we depart as we commit ourselves to be resources to them to practice English and receive application support.

  • Friends of LIME (3)

Participated in fundraising efforts including Karaoke nights, bake sales, and local business partnerships to finance LIME program.

  • Alternative School Break (ASB) (1)

Member of Land of the Free team, and personally responsible for team fundraising operations, which traveled to El Salvador to construct homes for migrant workers and learn more about issues of poverty, development, and immigration. Upon our arrival, we organized events on campus to call attention to these issues.

  • Landis Community Center- Firth (1)

Volunteered weekly at the Firth Youth Center in Phillipsburg.

  • Lafapalooza and Make a Difference Day (3)

Organized volunteer groups to help out at each of these days of service.

  • Easton Area Community Center- Summer Nights (1)

Was responsible for curricular development and Spanish translation for dozens of participants.

Athletics Activity/Award – Total Years Involved

  • Intramural Soccer (3)

Competed and captained teams for indoor and outdoor soccer.

  • Kirby Center Lifeguard (2)

Ensured patron safety at the Weinstein Natatorium

  • ISA Soccer

Frequently attend weekly pick-up soccer matches organized by the International Student Association

  • Kirby Fitness Center Participant (4)

Regularly exercise at the Kirby Sports Center facilities

Special Interest – Total Years Involved

  • Fábrica de Startups Intern (1)

Earned a stipend from Career Services to work as a Research and Development intern at a Portuguese startup accelerator. There, I reported directly to the CEO while updating startup tool kits, managing databases, marketing events, conducting ecosystem research, and consulting the Bel Group on entering the Chinese market. My efforts contributed to a successful bid to host the European Startup Awards and several international entrepreneurial competitions including the largest one in Portuguese history.

  • Middlebury Portuguese Language School (1)

Complemented prior independent study of Portuguese with a 7-week intensive Portuguese school at which communication was conducted solely in the target language. Outside of class, I starred in the school play, contributed to the newspaper, played on the soccer team, and attended the cooking club. I received a merit scholarship to attend and won Distinguished Student Award while there.

  • US Department of State- Virtual Student Foreign Service (1)

Aided the department with refugee initiatives and was invited to conferences at the UN and in DC. On campus, this translated to organizing a faculty panel, inviting a guest speaker, initiating film screenings, and presenting at Our Beloved Community.

  • Languages (4)

To be a global citizen means being able to communicate with people across cultures. I committed myself to learning languages including Portuguese, Spanish, French and can read the Hebrew and Arabic alphabets.

  • La Aldea (1)

Attended weekly lunch meetings to practice Spanish

  • First Aid/CPR certified (3)

If you’re choking, I can save you!