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Sara Diaz

Degree, Program, and date of graduation: B.A. Geography - Culture, Regions, and International Development; May 2014

Dates of working with the WGD Program: August to December 2011

What work did you do with the WGD program?

"As part of my undergraduate research under Dr. Maria Elisa Christie, I assisted Keri Agriesti with her research on gendered landscapes in Bolivia. I compiled literary reviews on gender and agriculture in the Bolivian Andes, primarily on family roles, potato farming and the process of making chuño, and the potential role in quinoa in the region."

Most exciting experience, interesting discovery, or connections made:

"Working with Dr. Maria Elisa Christie and witnessing all that goes on in the OIRED office was an incredibly rewarding learning experience. While I have been interested in international development for quite some time now, I had never regarded gender roles and the importance of understanding and considering gender in development. My own research on gender in Bolivia as well as Keri’s fieldwork and the research of other students in the program have provided me great insight that I know will be applicable to my academic career and hopefully my future career."

After-graduation plans:

"After graduation I plan to continue on to graduate school, most likely for Geography, and eventually work in development, hopefully in South America, Central America, or the Caribbean."

How has the WGD program influenced your future?

"My work with the WID program was my first experience with agricultural development research. I have previously worked with medical development projects, and I am currently involved in infrastructure development projects in Haiti. With international development being such a broad field, I have tried to dip my toes in as many aspects as possible in attempt to figure out where exactly my interests lie and what I would like my future work to be. My undergraduate research gave me great exposure to sustainable agriculture and given me more ideas on what I hope to specialize in."