Name: Alejandra De Bellis
Age: 35
High School: French High School
Degree: Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies
Year of Graduation: 1996
Occupation: Diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Interview published in July 2009.
In 1993, she began studying for a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies at ORT University. While pursuing her degree, she worked at the Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mining (MIEM). In 1996, she graduated and began her diplomatic career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE). In 1999, she received a scholarship from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
In 1993, Alejandra sought information about the Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies, a program launched that year by ORT University. She evaluated the faculty and, realizing that the program offered “an innovative curriculum from an academic standpoint,” decided to enroll.
She highlighted ORT’s infrastructure, from its location to its human resources. “It was clear that the faculty was committed to providing the best technology for the students; the organization and planning were excellent.” She also noted that the faculty was dedicated to helping students enter the job market.
“The class that graduated in 1996 was very close-knit; we formed several study groups and also participated in activities outside the university. I am still in touch with several of them, as they are current coworkers. I also remain in contact with some professors. I believe we all learned from that first experience, and our suggestions were taken into account.”
While pursuing her degree, she worked at the MIEM in the Industrial Property sector and also at the Mercosur Sectoral Commission.
Shortly after graduating, the competitive examination based on merit to enter the diplomatic service at the MRE was announced. In 1996, she began working as a diplomat, which “marked a major professional and life change, and has led me to travel and represent our country in different parts of the world.”
In 2001, she had her first posting abroad: Uruguay’s mission to the United Nations and the World Trade Organization in Geneva (Switzerland). “I was in charge of the areas of Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, Health, Trade, and Intellectual Property.”
Upon returning to Uruguay in 2006, she continued working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on issues related to Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, and International Refugee Law.
She is currently on her second posting abroad: the Uruguayan Embassy in France. “I am in charge of consular affairs and will soon be handling commercial affairs as well.”
“Looking back, I can say that everything I learned during my studies at ORT I later applied, at one time or another, in my professional experience.”