Students Step Into Global Citizenship at the U.N.

Every fall, Fairfield University students join scholars from fellow Jesuit institutions on a visit to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, sponsored by the Center for Social Impact.

On Oct. 14, eight Fairfield students representing seven different countries visited the U.N. for the annual Global Citizen Trip. The students included Allison Visser ’29, Martina Rosero ’29, Mim Rahman FB’26, Ayesha Vohra FB’26, Katherin Garcia Flores AS’25, ’27, Alexandra Camarena ’29, Francisco Martinez AA’25, ’27, and graduate student Sidhartha Kumar Pradhan. The group toured the U.N., attended a special discussion with William O’Brien, a U.N. independent expert on the human rights situation in Haiti, and concluded the day with a briefing from Camille Marinelli ’18, director of communications at Concern Worldwide U.S.

In collaboration with the Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network (JUHAN), students and faculty from the University of Scranton and Fordham University joined the Fairfield cohort, strengthening students’ connections to the broader Jesuit college community.

“I would characterize the trip as eye-opening in that it extended my lens to the global landscape and forced me to think critically about my role for the future and what I could do to create a more equitable and interconnected world,” said accounting major Ayesha Vohra. Throughout the tour, Vohra's deepest insights were about the interconnectedness of global concerns and the vital role that international collaboration plays in building a more sustainable future.

“The moment that stayed with me most was meeting William O’Brien,” said Katherin Garcia Flores ’27. “Listening to him speak about his humanitarian work in Haiti and Rwanda opened my eyes to the many hardships people around the world continue to face. His compassion and dedication were deeply moving.”

O'Brien emphasized that caring for others and taking action when people are in need does not depend on belonging to a particular country or group. His words prompted some students to reflect on their own home countries and the obstacles communities face due to violence and limited government support. Hearing O’Brien describe his work inspired many students and highlighted the power of empathy and courage in creating meaningful change. Flores was especially moved by the stories of people who leave everything behind in search of safety and opportunity. The experience reaffirmed her desire to use her education to support others.

Alumna Camille Marinelli shared her professional path and her work at Concern Worldwide U.S., encouraging students to pursue careers aligned with their commitment to social justice. “Fairfield gave me the foundation to discover my spark for humanitarian work and guided me toward a truly fulfilling career with an organization whose mission I wholeheartedly champion,” she said.

Hosting Fairfield students, she said, is a privilege and “a chance to open doors, start conversations, and help students navigate their own paths toward meaningful, purpose-driven careers, reminding them they don’t have to go at it alone and that the Fairfield alumni network is a strong, supportive community.”

Vohra shared that the trip gave her a “deeper sense of what it means to be a global citizen.” She and other participants realized that global citizenship is more than just being aware; it is about taking responsibility, being educated, and establishing a route for constructive change in every situation.

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