Olivia Phillips

I became interested in Latin America after teaching in Panama and working in Mexico City writing for Sentido Común. My articles covered current events, the economy and regional politics. While in the capital, I studied human rights issues and the adverse impact which the United States historically has had on the welfare of Mexican citizens. While at the LAC, I thoroughly enjoyed my courses and research in addition to the time spent with my mentors and colleagues. I wrote my dissertation about local resistance and resilience through the use of Coca-Cola in religious practices in San Juan Chamula, Mexico. I was able to apply much of what I learned from the Human Rights, International Relations, and Sociology courses to this work. Throughout the year I wrote extensively about human rights issues surrounding feminicide, climate change, and indigenous rights. In the future I hope to explore a wide range of sectors within the social impact space.