Alumni 2020 – 2024

From her family history, Amanda Sadalla's work is inspired by the legacy of survivors of human rights violations in her family, including her great-grandmother, Serena. Amanda is the co-founder of Serenas, a non-profit organization that works to train public agents to prevent and respond to violence against girls and women in Brazil. Serenas has impacted more than 60,000 public leaders and students, in addition to being awarded twice with the “Selo de Diversidade” [Diversity Seal] of the Government of the City of São Paulo and with the “Prêmio Rompa” [Rompa Award], promoted by the Court of Justice of São Paulo.  

Winner of the Study UK Alumni Brazil 2024 award from the British Council and finalist of the global Alumni Awards 2024 in the Social Action category, Amanda holds a master's degree in public policy from the University of Oxford and, according to her, the history of the United Kingdom in defending the rights of girls served as a model for her work. 

 “The connections I forged during my UK stay played a pivotal role in launching my NGO, especially considering my age and limited resources”.

“Studying in the UK has given me the opportunity to connect with many people around the world”.

Oscar Fernandez is a physician, specialised in reconstructive plastic surgery. Diaz is a professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Guadalajara, where he is dedicated to teaching the next generation of doctors. In 2020 he was a master’s student at Queen Mary University of London and describes his experience at a UK university as transformative, highlighting the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world. The experience not only broadened his international network but also encouraged him to continue learning and engage in scientific activities. This experience provided a global perspective, essential for his professional growth.

Laura was a Chevening Master's scholarship holder at the University of Cambridge between 2020 and 2021. She is a member of the university's alumni society and was selected as a creative leader by the British Council in 2024. She is currently TikTok's Spanish Speaking Latin America Public Policy Manager, where she promotes, among other things, the construction of more inclusive and safer digital spaces and teaches public servants about public innovation. 

Laura points out that the experience in the UK enabled tools for her to connect with technology and politics, in addition to contributing to her reflection on the gender gap in STEM: “As a woman in tech – where only 32.4% of roles in AI and data science are held by women – this experience was key in preparing me to tackle these challenges back home”. For her, the connections established in Cambridge have enabled transformative opportunities and underscores the importance of staying connected with the networks and communities established in the UK, as they will continue to open doors.

“Studying with the UK was more than just an opportunity; it was a deeply connected experience to my career and life mission”.

This is how Petrina Santos defines her experience as a graduate student at the London School of Economics. According to her, when she was in the UK in 2021, she had the opportunity to broaden her perspective on several issues, which continue to shape her professional development and improve effectiveness in solving the complex challenges faced. Currently, Petrina works at Volkswagen Financial Services Brazil and is responsible for creating the department at the bank, preparing the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy and leading the implementation with stakeholders. In addition to establishing ESG governance locally and globally, and developing a social program focused on social mobility. Her professional contributions significantly impact the environment and society.