Mariano
Graduated Riga Technical University, Latvia June 2024. Bachelor Degree of Social Science in Management. Starting my Master's degree in September of 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal.
The Monarch Effect Foundation made university a reality. The ability to study abroad — a decision that would change my life forever — gave me confidence and determination to succeed at anything. It took me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to grow in ways I never imagined possible.
Through my experiences, I learned to be resilient, proactive, and make thoughtful decisions. I discovered new possibilities and learned to work towards long-term goals, rather than settling for instant gratification.
I am an integral part of the foundation, a mentor and role model to all the other students, and an influencer with my peers as they explore and determine their path.
Story
Blog
April 2025
April has flown by, and I honestly can’t believe how fast everything is moving. This month marked the beginning of a brand-new trimester, and with it, the start of some of the most exciting courses of my master’s so far. I finally got to take part in Management of Non-Profit Organizations and Operations Strategy—two subjects I had been looking forward to since the beginning of the program. Both have been incredibly insightful and hands-on, and I’ve already learned so much that I can’t wait to apply in the real world.
It’s hard to believe, but March will be my last month of classes—not just for the year, but ever. The next semester, my program shifts completely to working on our thesis. That realization feels surreal. I’m so happy and proud of how far I’ve come in just one year, and beyond excited for what’s next. But April wasn’t all work! I also had a well-deserved spring break, and I spent it exploring the south of Portugal. We rented a house along the stunning Algarve coast, and spent our days discovering charming little beach towns, hidden caves, and breathtaking views. As if that wasn’t enough, we even managed a quick day trip to Sevilla, Spain, which completely stole my heart. It was the perfect mix of rest, adventure, and sunshine before heading back into the rhythm of school life for the final stretch of the semester.
And now for maybe the most exciting update of the month: I’ve officially booked my summer plans to Zanzibar! I’ll be spending time there as part of a volunteering program, teaching English in a preschool for children in under-resourced communities. I can’t even begin to express how thrilled I am. This opportunity means so much to me—not just as a chance to give back, but to grow, connect, and hopefully make even a small difference. I will be spending one full month there with 3 of my best friends.
Looking back, I’m just feeling incredibly grateful. Life lately has been busy, full, and deeply fulfilling. Wrapping up the academic chapter of my life and stepping into what’s next feels both emotional and exciting but I’m so ready.
March 2025
And that’s a wrap on the first term of the semester! What an amazing month March turned out to be—challenging academically but filled with unforgettable experiences. The month kicked off at full speed, with exams approaching fast and final project deadlines looming. And in the midst of all that? A trip to Cabo to see my brother get married! That’s right, the big day finally arrived, and I had the chance to return to my beautiful hometown for a week to celebrate the wedding of my oldest brother, Arturo. But it wasn’t all sunshine and smiles—finals were just a week away, so I had to be on top of everything. I woke up every day at 6 a.m. to study, join meetings with my teammates, and stay on track with all my schoolwork. There was no room to slack off!
On top of that, I was also preparing for a speech I was set to give at the College Prep program of the foundation, which turned out fantastic! I finally got to meet all the kids in the program, along with some of our incredible donors. It was truly an inspiring and unforgettable experience. (I'll attach the link to my speech below!)
After an amazing week in Cabo, reality hit me hard. I went from enjoying time with my family in warm weather to spending 12-hour days at the library, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., studying for exams. I wish I were exaggerating… But, as always, hard work pays off. Not only did I survive exam week, I actually scored higher in every class compared to last semester! I'm especially proud that I didn’t let my time off in Mexico distract me from my responsibilities. I was worried about how I’d manage being away just before finals, but everything worked out better than I imagined.
My heart is so full. I feel incredibly grateful that I got to see my brother and reconnect with family members I hadn’t seen in years. Big thanks to my brother for generously sponsoring this trip as a graduation gift, something he promised last year, and truly followed through on. The last week and a half of the month was a beautiful cooldown. I spent it at the beach with friends, playing volleyball and soaking in the first real signs of summer. Now I’m looking ahead to my next term, the last one where I’ll be taking classes. In the fall, the focus will shift entirely to my thesis (more on that later!). I'm especially excited about a course I enrolled in: Non-Profit Organization Management. I can’t wait to dive in and bring what I learn back to the foundation, where I hope to contribute in meaningful ways.
Link for the speech at Collage Prep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnceNozmGO0&t=578s
January 2025
Well, that’s a wrap on 2024! What an outstanding year—definitely one of my best so far. I graduated, traveled around Europe with my parents, moved to Portugal, and started my master’s! It was truly an unprecedented year, and I’m incredibly grateful for everything that happened.
That being said, January and 2025 started off strong! I finally had my appointment for my residence permit, and it went amazingly well. The appointment was in a small town about two hours from Lisbon called Aveiro, also known as the "Venice of Portugal." Since it was quite a trip, my friends and I turned it into a little road trip. Even though Aveiro is a small town, we had a blast exploring the city, visiting the beach, and watching a stunning sunset. Additionally, January was unique because my school didn’t have regular classes. Instead, we had what they call "Skills Accelerator" courses—short two-to-three-day workshops designed to enhance our professional skills. It was an incredible experience where I got to meet new people and deepen my knowledge in areas like programming, social impact, networking, and business ethics.
Since we didn’t have a fixed class schedule, my friends and I took full advantage of the free time to travel around Portugal and explore Lisbon a bit more. Besides Aveiro, we visited an even smaller town called Sesimbra, a beautiful coastal spot just an hour from Lisbon, known for its breathtaking views and incredible cuisine. And last but not least, we made our way to Nazaré, the home of the gigantic waves! We spent hours watching massive 13-meter waves and witnessing brave surfers take on the challenge. It was absolutely incredible.
This past month has been nothing short of amazing. I got to learn new things, meet incredible people, visit stunning places, and enjoy Portugal’s fantastic winter weather—a drastic change from my freezing Latvian winters! Oh, and I almost forgot the biggest highlight of the month—not only did I have my residence permit appointment, but I also received my actual residence card just two weeks later! That’s practically record time by Portuguese standards, considering some of my friends had to wait anywhere from three to six months. It was truly a blessing to get it so quickly, and now I can finally travel outside Portugal. Next month is shaping up to be just as exciting, as I’ll be back to a regular class schedule, and I can’t wait to dive into new subjects and continue this amazing journey!
December 2024
What a month! November was filled with both incredible experiences and significant challenges. With the semester coming to an end, the last few weeks were particularly demanding. I had to juggle multiple workloads from my classes, especially since most deadlines overlapped. In just a week and a half, I had to submit four different projects and deliver presentations for each one. It was exhausting, but seeing the results made it all worth it. The countless hours of stress and studying paid off—I earned some of the highest grades in my class for all my projects. This felt like a huge achievement, considering how competitive and demanding my school and master’s program are. In fact, some groups didn’t even finish the semester intact, as a few students dropped out.
On a more positive note, on the past November 15th, it was my 22nd birthday! Although I had a class that ran until 8:30 p.m., I celebrated afterward by going out for dinner and sharing a bottle of wine with friends. It’s funny how, as you get older, the excitement of partying and celebrating your birthday at a club fades. I’ve reached the point where I prefer a chill evening with friends, enjoying some good wine or a few beers and great conversation.
Aside from my birthday, another highlight this month was playing padel for the first time. I also got back into rock climbing, which I hadn’t done in nearly two years, and participated in a small football lightning tournament. Even though my team didn’t make it far, I still had a fantastic time playing with friends. Sports were a big part of my month, and I couldn’t be happier. My weekly routine now includes football on Mondays, padel on Wednesdays, and climbing on Sundays—pretty much the perfect balance. These activities have been invaluable as study breaks, especially with the challenging exam weeks just around the corner.
November 2024
October was a whirlwind month, packed with new experiences and accomplishments that made it fly by. I had my first exams week in my master’s program, which was both challenging and rewarding. Balancing study time and personal time took some getting used to, but it gave me a good taste of what the rest of the program might look like. Alongside exams, I wrapped up my first lecture series, which felt like a significant milestone on this academic journey.
Within all the studying, I managed to take a quick break and travel to Porto. The city was beautiful, with its vibrant energy and friendly locals. I met so many people from different backgrounds, which made the trip even more memorable. It felt great to recharge before jumping back into the academic grind. When I returned, I started my next course, “Operations Management,” which promises to be an interesting blend of theory and practical application. I’m looking forward to diving deeper into this field and seeing how it connects with everything I’ve been learning so far.
Now, with November in full swing and my birthday around the corner, it’s bittersweet to think about celebrations. With exams approaching again soon, I know I’ll need to focus on staying organized and keeping up with coursework. It may not be the usual festive birthday, but I’m excited for everything I’m learning and where it’s taking me. The next couple of months will be demanding, but I’m looking forward to the challenges and the growth they bring.
October 2024
Wow… Has the first month of my master’s degree already flown by?! It never ceases to amaze me how fast time goes. This past month has been one for the books; so much has happened that it’s hard to believe it was only four weeks. I’m absolutely in love with this new chapter of my life—being in Portugal and studying at Nova SBE has been an incredible experience. Every aspect of it has been amazing.
I’m still in awe of how good my school is. The classes feel like I’m attending a TED Talk every time, and all of my professors are highly qualified, with excellent English—something that’s not always guaranteed at international universities. On top of that, I’ve met so many wonderful people. It’s been much easier to make friends here than it was at my previous university.
Not only has the academic experience been fantastic, but my daily life has been equally rewarding. I’m slowly immersing myself in Portuguese culture. I often try to engage in small conversations with the locals, which is especially helpful as I’m learning the language. These casual encounters have been great practice, and I’m proud to say that I now have a decent baseline in Portuguese. I can get around the city, using only minimal English when I hit a roadblock. The first month has set the tone, and if this is any indication, the rest of my time here will be unforgettable.
September 2024
I Graduated from Riga Technical University, Latvia with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science in Management. Enrolled in Master's Degree NOVA University, Lisbon Portugal Fall 2024.
August 2024
I don’t even know where to begin this month’s blog, so much has happened in the last months that it is even hard to wrap my head around it…First at the end of June my parents and my mentors(Eric and Lisa) joined me on my graduation ceremony, one for the books for sure!! Being surrounded by the people that you love the most on such special days, is something truly memorable and beautiful. After my graduation I had the opportunity to travel for the first time with my parents in Italy! We visited Milan, Florence and Rome, such an amazing experience!! And last but certainly not least…The 1st of August I finally moved to Portugal!!! I am now enjoying and getting to know my new beautiful city. I am beyond excited for my masters degree, I can’t even put it into words! And the best part about it is that I get to document it all through these blogs!! Next month is gonna be a big one, I will officially start my higher studies and will begin what will be my last semesters as a student!!
Can’t wait to share more of this crazy journey of mine!!
6 April 2024
Another month has gone by, I am getting closer and closer to finishing my degree. In one month I’ll be finishing all my classes and just purely waiting to do my thesis defense. Which I am super excited about. Doing the thesis has been a quite challenging but rewarding process. I have learned so much along the way. But I am proud and happy to say that I have officially finished all the hard parts of the thesis, both theoretical and practical. I have all the content, all the survey answers and all the interviews. Now it’s just a matter of focusing on minor details that my advisors told me to do. For the 3rd of May I should have almost 100% and also do a pre-defense. My life now mainly focuses on my thesis so that’s why I don’t have much to say this time, but something very important happened last month. The foundation had its second charity event, in which the other ambassadors and I got the chance to talk and express our ideas. I personally talked about having the skin on the game and the importance of showing up for the foundation. I didn’t have a written speech or something prepared for it, but I believe that to be the biggest reason why it came out so beautifully and real. I am happy with the way I delivered that message. Although it wasn’t a very active month in terms of activities, it was a fascinating experience to feel closer and closer to finishing the biggest goal of every young adult, which is graduating from university. From now on till the end of June I’ll be full on tunnel vision towards that goal. I’ll catch up with you next month. It should be quite a blog since it will be after my pre-defense and 5 days before finishing my classes.
10th of March
It is unbelievable how fast this year has gone!! I am in one of those times in my life where I am so focused on getting my goals done that time feels on a different pace. Not complaining though, purely grateful and joyful. But more on my life, I got accepted to my master’s degree! I am officially a Nova SBE student, for a master’s in management with a specialization in Operations Management. Super excited to be moving to Portugal next August. Additionally, I already finished the first part of my thesis so I am going at a great pace and learning a lot for sure. The MCI is also going well. I am truly grateful for being able to complete my full circle and now actually giving back to the other ambassadors of the foundation. It has been a great experience for me, definitely shaping my leadership skills and honing my ability to impact other people with my words. Great start to the year! I also bought a plane ticket to Vienna for spring break, but I recently was told that I need to have a final grade for all my subjects before May 18th, so that means I need to talk to my professors and figure out a way to finish my courses a month earlier, which means more work to be done, hence I decided that I will stay in Riga again for my spring break and just work and study all I can. Not upset about it, that’s just life and sometimes you need to prioritize different aspects of it, I will have more time to travel in the future. Anyways, life is good! And I’ll keep you updated on it next month.
13 February 2024
Wow, the first month of 2024 went flying! I decided to put on hold all my traveling plans for my holidays and instead spend the whole month writing my thesis and developing the Monarch Circle of Impact, a program of mentoring and self-development that offers a continuous growth opportunity for the ambassadors of the foundation. I am sure you can see more about it on the website! Additionally, I applied for my master’s degree in Lisbon, Portugal. I´ll keep you updated on that for sure! Last but not least, I officially started my last semester of University, I have only 4 classes this time, two of which are directly related to my bachelor's thesis, the other two are International Economics and Startup Development. Overall, a great start of the year! Very excited for what’s to come but trying my best to enjoy the present and not lose track of my bigger goal, which is, as of now, to graduate in June with the best bachelor thesis of my academic group. Check back to you next month!
9 of December 2023
I survived the cold plunge! What an incredible experience that was. I did around 4 minutes and I am very happy that I was able to do it safely and with no problems. The part that I struggled the most was getting out of the water and having to warm my body in 3-degree Celsius weather… But anyway, we are already in December! last two weeks before winter break, time really goes by so fast! Can´t believe that this is my last winter in freezing Riga. I am extremely grateful for being in Europe another year, life really is a gift, that sometimes we take for granted, we have to always keep that in mind, and stay grateful beyond everything else. A lot happened this year, lots of lessons, ups and downs, but that´s what life is all about, and I love it!! Catch you in the next blog…
1 of December 2023
During my time in Europe, I have had to face many challenges in all sorts of forms. I have experienced very highs and very lows. For the first time in my life, I was in a position where the problem seemed bigger than my capabilities to overcome them. In those moments, I truly found myself. Resilience. It’s the best word to describe how I have managed to continue going forward in my journey abroad. In my second year of uni as a mere coincidence, I came across something that changed the way I view life forever. That was the philosophy of “Stoicism”. This way of thinking and viewing life has given me a whole new perspective. It felt like I suddenly could see life with a new pair of eyes, and I became obsessed with it. I learned that if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change. I will take this with me forever and is something I love to share with the other students to help them grow in the best way possible. And what better way for that than with the platform of Monarch Effect Foundation.
11 of November 2023.
We are halfway through the semester, and school is definitely feeling more and more intense, getting prepared for the final project and exams. But other than that I have been having a terrific semester so far. In a couple of days, I will turn 21, and I am planning on doing a cold plunge in the river for celebration. I learned that some Nordic cultures did it as a ritual seeking cleanse, transcendence, and mindfulness, and I can't think of a better time to do it than for my 21st birthday. I am very excited to share my thoughts about it in next month's blog.
10 of October 2023.
So much has happened this past month that is hard to put it into words for this month´s blog. At the end of September, I decided to move out of my shared apartment and live on my own. It was a calculated risk, but an overall great decision. Additionally, I am proud to say that I am officially one of the students in Latvia who was granted this year’s scholarship from the Latvian Government. Last, but not least, I also presented the topic for my thesis to my professor which is “Employee motivation and its effect on performance”. A lot has happened this past month, I know, but I cannot be happier about all of it.
10 of September 2023.
Let the last year begin! I am finally a senior student, and in June of 2024 I´ll be graduating. Wow, this always sounds so surreal to me. This is the final stretch, 3 years have gone by already and I am far from over, but this is a huge milestone in my life aspirations and goals. This semester I finally get to pick a topic for my bachelor thesis, and I am thrilled about it, I already have one in mind, but I will check in next month when it has been approved.
28 of August 2023.
Well, today is the day, my summer in Mexico has come to an end and it´s time to go back to Europe. I am flying to Madrid in a couple hours and I couldn´t be more excited. But this time is different, I am flying to Europe with two childhood friends of mine who I have influenced/convinced to take a leap of faith and move to attend school in Riga. Even without the foundation fully ready, I am taking my role as ambassador and following the mission of inspiring Mexican students to get out of their comfort zone and pursue their future aspirations outside of their home country. Can´t wait to see what this senior year has to offer…