María Hernández Pérez
While at the University of Costa Rica, Mari focused on migration, human rights, and work with vulnerable populations. She gained hands-on experience at Albergue Puente Dos, where she first worked as an intern and was later hired, supporting the reception and orientation of newly arrived migrants and facilitating socio-educational processes on access to healthcare, education, and life planning in Costa Rica. During this time, Mari also engaged in ongoing training on migration policy changes and crisis intervention, strengthening her ability to provide comprehensive, empathetic support in high-demand environments. She dedicated several months to direct service work with migrant populations, contributing to structured accompaniment processes within the shelter. A significant accomplishment was designing and leading workshops that helped individuals better understand available services and develop clear, realistic pathways for their personal projects despite complex migration contexts. Mari is fluent in Spanish, proficient in English, and has basic knowledge of Portuguese. This fall, she will complete her academic internship and finish her bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

