Meet María José Blanco Arias, IYLEP Program Intern

Please join us in welcoming María José Blanco Arias, our new Intern focused on the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP)!

María is a rising sophomore at the University of Iowa, originally from Bogotá, Colombia. She is pursuing a B.A. in International Studies on the Human Rights and Public Service track and a B.S. in International Relations on the International Business and Economics track. As an international student passionate about global engagement, María brings a thoughtful and dynamic perspective to the Global Ties Iowa team.

As the IYLEP Program Intern, María will support programming that empowers young leaders from around the world. She is excited to contribute to initiatives that foster leadership development, education, and cross-cultural dialogue, values that deeply resonate with her own experiences.

At the University of Iowa, María is actively involved across campus. She serves as an At‑Large Senator in the Undergraduate Student Government, is the President of HAWC (Hall Association Working for Catlett), and the Programming Director for Hawk The Vote. She is also a member of the Honors Student Advisory Board (SAB), the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), and the Student Advancement Network (SAN). Through these roles, she has developed strong skills in communication, advocacy, and community building.

Outside of her academic and leadership commitments, María enjoys writing poems, photographing the city and her friends, watching rom‑coms and Marvel movies, and learning new languages.

María first heard about Global Ties Iowa through a university email, and she was immediately drawn to the organization’s mission. “As an international student from Colombia, I understand the importance of feeling welcomed and supported in a new environment,” she shared. “IYLEP especially interested me because it empowers young leaders from around the world, and I would love to contribute to programs that promote leadership, education, and cross‑cultural dialogue.”

Looking ahead, María hopes to pursue a career in international relations, human rights, or diplomacy, working to expand opportunities for underserved communities and strengthen global cooperation. Long term, she envisions herself contributing to an international organization or nonprofit dedicated to education, human rights, and cross‑cultural understanding.

We are thrilled to welcome María to the Global Ties Iowa team and look forward to the energy, perspective, and passion she brings to our work!