KAMLOOPS – Third-year Bachelor of Business Administration student Kristi Denby has been selected by TRU World to participate in monitoring the Nov. 5 election process in Nicaragua at the invitation of the Organization of American States (OAS), which requested a Spanish-speaking student to participate in the project.
“Kristi’s experience as an exchange student in Chile makes her an outstanding candidate,” explained TRU Study Abroad Manager Jan Petrar.
The international business major followed her first academic experience abroad as a TRU exchange student to the University of Vina del Mar in Chile in 2005 with an extensive exploration through 10 countries in South and Central America before her return to TRU in September 2006.
“Travelling and studying in Latin America has not only personally enhanced me, it has brought me opportunities such as this OAS mission that only happen once in a lifetime,” said Denby.
“I have been to Nicaragua before and I am very excited to return to take part in this monumental event.Nicaragua has had a shaky political past and 70 per cent of people live under the poverty line, so these elections can either bring hope or despair to a country in desperate need of a non-corrupt government.”
Commenting on Denby’s opportunity, Cyndi McLeod, the Associate Vice-President International Education, Training and Development for TRU World said, “At the core of the OAS mission is an unequivocal commitment to democracy, as expressed in the Inter-American Democratic Charter: “The peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it. Building on this foundation, the OAS works to promote good governance, strengthen human rights, foster peace and security, expand trade, and address the complex problems caused by poverty, drugs and corruption.”
Denby is excited about her upcoming role in Central American politics.
“I am very happy that the OAS chose me to go to Nicaragua because the mission will be a unique experience that will expand my knowledge, and it is something that many people may not get to experience in a lifetime,” she said, extending thanks to TRU World and Study Abroad Manager Jan Petrar.
“This opportunity would not have been possible without their support and help, and I extend an unconditional thank you to them,” she said
For more information, please contact Jan Petrar at 250-371-5888 orby email.
