Yazmin Baptiste
Yazmin Baptiste, a Queens, New York native and Lafayette College alumna, was honored as IES Abroad’s 2019 Global Citizen of the Year for her outstanding commitment to immigrant and refugee communities during her study abroad experiences in Rabat and Rome. In Morocco, she taught English to migrants through Fondation Orient-Occident, and in Italy, she conducted research on the privatization of immigration systems and volunteered with Hands Off Cain, an organization dedicated to abolishing the death penalty. Upon returning to campus, Yazmin initiated a “Mental Health Invisible Tour” inspired by her experiences abroad, aiming to shed light on underrepresented narratives within her college community. As a Posse Scholar, she earned her B.A. in Anthropology& Sociology with a minor in Religious Studies, and later completed an MSc in Applied Social Data Science from the London School of Economics. Currently, she applies her skills as a Technical Program Associate at Give Directly, where she supports sending millions of dollars to people who live in poverty.
“Studying abroad was the first time I realized how much more expansive my life could be. Before then, travel felt like something other people did—people who had money, could try new foods, and weren’t constantly calculating risk. With severe food allergies, going abroad felt dangerous. I couldn’t imagine navigating unfamiliar meals without offending anyone or getting sick.Yazmin Baptiste
But in Morocco, my host mother made sure every meal was safe for me. I didn’t have a single allergic reaction in her care. That experience challenged the fear that had quietly shaped so many of my decisions. And when I eventually traveled on my own and did have a reaction, I knew I could handle it. It showed me how even something as intimate as sharing a meal can be navigated with respect, honesty, and openness.
Studying abroad didn’t just expand my world; it clarified my responsibility to help dismantle the systems that limit movement, opportunity, and autonomy.”