"When working abroad, you become more aware of how important it is to be prepared"

María Noel Beretta, 25, who graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies, shares her experience at the Uruguayan Embassy in Peru.

-What is your current professional role?

-For the past four months, I have been serving as a Foreign Service Secretary at the Uruguayan Embassy in Lima, Peru. I am currently working on the Republic’s relations with Peru, covering political, cultural, commercial, and cooperation issues.

-What tools did Universidad ORT Uruguay provide you Universidad ORT Uruguay this work?

-I believe the best tool the University provided me with—and which I apply in my current role—was the breadth of topics covered by the International Studies program. While this job requires specialization in certain areas like law and international trade, we also encounter situations where we must be generalists and understand other fields such as marketing and market research.

-What are the highlights of your experience abroad?

-The most interesting aspect of working here is the variety of issues we deal with, not only regarding bilateral relations but also concerning regional and international organizations. Lima, for example, is home to several United Nations bodies. It is also worth noting that Peru currently holds the Pro Tempore Presidency of UNASUR, so it will host various meetings over the next six months, in which the Uruguayan government must be present through national authorities or be represented by the Embassy.

-How did moving abroad affect you?

-Living abroad, and especially representing one’s country, is a very challenging experience both professionally and personally, as one is separated from loved ones; however, fortunately, there has support network consisting of the diplomatic staff at the Embassy and local officials. They both share their contacts and provide us with information so we can adapt more easily to the new environment.

-What is life like for you in Peru?

-Since I arrived relatively recently, I’m still in the learning phase, getting to know how things work at the Embassy and also the relationship with the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as familiarizing myself with local politics, the economy, and society, and the Uruguayan community in Lima, which is also helpful when it comes to getting to know the country.

On a more day-to-day level, one must gradually get to know the city, which is quite large. Learning how and where to get around, as well as finding out about educational and cultural centers, allows one to become part of the country’s academic life and learn about Peruvian culture and history.

The current Uruguayan ambassador to Peru, Juan José Arteaga, was your professor when you were a student. What has it been like to work with a former professor?

Very interesting. I had the opportunity to be Ambassador Arteaga’s student in 2007 when I took the course “Uruguayan Foreign Policy.” To this day, I continue to learn, but in this case about the diplomatic role abroad.

-What are your professional expectations for the future?

-The diplomatic career gives us the opportunity to continue studying and stay constantly up to date in order to advance and grow professionally. Consequently, after three years in the rank of Third Secretary, I will be competing in August to be promoted to Second Secretary.

My goal is to continue my academic studies. I plan to pursue a graduate degree in international relations here in Lima and then, in three years, compete again to continue advancing in the diplomatic career.

Furthermore, when serving abroad, one becomes more aware of how important it is to be prepared to serve and represent the country in the best possible way.

Coverage published in July 2012