Master of Arts in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies

IPSS Assignment: Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) – Mexico City, Mexico 

Born and raised in Italy, Manuela lived most of her life there, but since she was a child, she hoped to cross the Atlantic Ocean to find her “American dream”. The passion for travel and the interest to know about other countries and cultures, contributed to shape her education and knowledge. She chose an education in International Studies, and she still thinks it was the best decision she has ever made! In Italy she pursued a Bachelor Degree in International Relations, and a Master of Arts in International Politics and Diplomacy. During her undergraduate studies, she spent a semester in Spain at the University of Granada, where she learned Spanish and developed her interest for Latin America studies. She have worked at the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco, fulfilling her dream to live in the United States, and obtaining a gratifying experience that reinforced her professional growth. At the Monterey Institute of International Studies, she developed several academic skills in researching and analyzing issues related to international security, with focus on nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament. She would like to keep working in this field of studies, and is strongly motivated to find a job in an international organization, gaining ability to deal with the challenges of nuclear nonproliferation.

For her IPSS assignment, Manuela worked at the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) in Mexico City, Mexico. She worked on a group project, which analyzed new approaches of international organizations to the nonproliferation challenges. Her individual project was to evaluate of pros and cons of OPANAL, with focus on regional and external issues that can undermine the status of Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in Latin America.