Biography
Erika Santaella is an Honors College student at Florida International University pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Science, with a certificate in Sales and Customer Relationship Management. Born in Venezuela, she lived in Boca Raton, Florida, for four years before completing high school in Medellín, Colombia, experiences that shaped her international perspective and interest in global affairs.
At FIU, Erika has distinguished herself through academic excellence and active involvement in research and leadership. She served as a research intern at the Latin American and Caribbean Center, contributing to projects on environmental security and disaster risk reduction, and completed an internship at the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), where she supported initiatives on green transition, digital transformation, and human development. Moreover, she was also a Campus Director for the Millennium Fellowship.
Beyond academics, Erika is a founder and co-president of the Venezuelan Student Association at FIU, president of public relations for Toastmasters International at FIU, and editor for the Global Humanity for Development Organization. She has also combined her passion for communication and outreach with experience in social media marketing, volunteer engagement, and event coordination.
Erika believes that cross-cultural understanding and global collaboration are essential to addressing today’s challenges. She aspires to continue her career in international policy and development, with a focus on advancing democracy, sustainability, and inclusive global cooperation.