Sara Jacques, a Kearny, NJ native, who is currently a senior at Penn State, has been named an awardee (finalist) for the fourth annual Global Citizen of The Year Award, presented by IES Abroad.
On the heels of National Study Abroad Day, February 24, 2020, IES Abroad,
a leading not-for-profit study abroad and internship organization, announced today that four U.S. college students have been recognized as part of its annual IES Abroad Global Citizen of the Year award. This award is designed to recognize study abroad students going above and beyond to make a difference in the world. Now in its fourth year, this is the first student-focused, study abroad honor of its kind.
Students who studied on an IES Abroad or IES Internship program in 2019 submitted applications to be considered for the award. IES Abroad received inspiring submissions from its students across 25 U.S. colleges and universities, such as Indiana University, Howard University, and Penn State University to name a few. This year, one Global Citizen of the Year winner and three Finalists were selected.
Yazmin Baptiste (IES Abroad Rabat, Fall 2018, and IES Abroad Rome, Spring 2019), a senior at Lafayette College, has been selected as the 2019 IES Abroad Global Citizen of the Year for her support to refugee and immigrant communities in Rabat and Rome through volunteering and research. Additionally, Baptiste aims to continue advocating for these groups not just in her own community, but around the world.
Baptise said, “As a self- proclaimed immigrant activist, I want to ensure that people can attain rights without the term “citizen” being attached to their identity. Many undocumented immigrants challenge the notion that we must be citizens in order to have an impact on our communities.”
During her time in Rabat, Baptiste taught English to immigrant and refugee communities through the Foundation Orient-Occident. When she was in Rome she engaged in volunteer work at Hands Off Cain, where she assisted
the organization in their goal of ending the death penalty worldwide. She also conducted independent research on the negative impact that for-profit companies in Italy have on immigration. Her drive to understand immigration beyond a U.S. context further emphasizes her dedication.
The 2019 Global Citizen of the Year awardees include:
Global Citizen of the Year Winner:
● Yazmin Baptiste | Rabat – Study in Rabat (Fall 2018) and Rome – Sociology & Religion (Spring 2019) | Lafayette College
Global Citizen of the Year Finalists:
● Pheonix Pittman | IES Abroad Buenos Aires – Latin American Society & Culture, Fall 2019 | Spelman College
● Sam Hochberger | IES Abroad Granada – Study in Granada, Fall 2019 | Macalester College
● Sara Jacques | IES Abroad Santiago – Politics, Social Justice & Language, Spring 2019 | Penn State University
As the winner of the Global Citizen of the Year Award, Baptiste will receive a $1,000 cash prize and IES Abroad
will provide a $500 donation to her charity of choice—No More Deaths (No Más Muertes). Each of the three
finalists will each receive a $400 cas
