what's inside?

FROM THE EDITOR

MASTERS CORNER

WHERE'S MONARCH'S MUG

The MCI Director's Perspective

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

NOTE TO THE CPM CLASS

MONARCH MEETS

MAKING SPACE FOR WHAT MATTERS

COMING SOON

IN LOVING MEMORY

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Update June 2026

The MCI Director's Perspective

Fernanda

To me, being the director of a program fully created and led by students is an honor and an incredible opportunity to learn about leadership and reinforce the skills and lessons I apply every day as a psychology student. Since the beginning of the semester, I’ve learned so much from the ambassadors and from their unique experiences, just as I have strived to help them learn and grow as well. Looking back, one of the things I am most proud of is helping make MCI feel like a safe space where students can openly share their stories, challenges, and achievements. The Monarch Circle of Impact has become a place where ambassadors located all around the world can share their experiences to support, guide, and inspire students who are about to embark on similar journeys.

Starting my master’s felt like unlocking a new level. Not harder in a dramatic way, just different. You realize very quickly that nobody is checking if you did your homework. You are responsible for your time, your focus, and your future.

One of the biggest things I learned is that grades are important, but they are not everything. What really shapes your path are the choices you make outside the classroom. The internships you apply to. The emails you send. The skills you decide to build even when no one asks you to.

A master’s forces you to think long term. Not in a “what will I do for the rest of my life” way, but in a “what kind of professional do I want to become” way. Do I want to solve problems. Do research. Lead teams. Start something of my own. That clarity does not appear magically. You build it slowly.

It is also a stage where preparation matters. Learning how to manage your time. How to write professionally. How to ask for help. How to search for scholarships and opportunities without waiting for someone to hand them to you.

A master’s is not for everyone, and that is okay. It requires independence, discipline, and genuine interest in what you study. But whatever path you choose, take it seriously. Think ahead. Be intentional. And do not be afraid to take the next step, even if you do not see the whole staircase yet.

BY: MARIA JOSE

In my own experience, the College Prep Mentoring class brought a lot to offer when it came to, in my case, preparing myself to leave home for the first time. However, there was a lot more to take from the classes aside from that, as I learned that it catered toward a lot of real-life skillsets that would become an integral part of my problem-solving process and personal growth. The biggest piece of advice I have to give is not to treat CPM as a TED Talk or a one-time lesson session– prepare to participate academically, and don’t stay silent. Talking to people, especially my fellow classmates, is something I wish I did a lot more. Everyone comes from different backgrounds, and therefore has a lot of different things to share; I’ve always believed that most of the growth comes from peer critique and interaction, and in the best case scenario, you’ll make lifelong friends. State your opinions, absorb information, but most importantly allow yourself to grow. You’re being welcomed into a safe, diverse space for communication, so stay positive and enjoy your time with the College Prep Mentors!

BY: FERNANDA

masters corner

note to the cpm class

because the moments that shape us are often the ones we almost miss.

QUOTE of the month

In this year I have learnt many things across different areas, but if there is one thing that shines across all of my endeavours, is that it is important to be smart about the time you allocate to things, and to make sure to keep yourself in check and accountable to your standards, your needs, and your own mental health. Last year I committed to challenging myself, to dream big and to push myself to achieve great things, but this year I have realized that there is a lot that I have given up for. This was a real shock for me in terms of work-life balance, because before I realized, there had been so many relationships that I hadn’t maintained with people who are important in my life. Even if it's a quick phone call, I was overstimulated with my personal work and I would struggle to find the time to even sit down for a quick phone call or even a coffee chat with a friend I haven’t stayed in touch with.

From this experience I learnt that it is important to give time for yourself, for the things that matter to you personally and emotionally, and not allow your work or your projects to take over your life. Burning out is no joke, it's a big challenge to catch the momentum once again after a full halt in your efforts, so it is important to balance your ambitions with your own wellbeing. Even though I haven’t found the perfect formula, I am very happy to know I’m on the right track. I’ve resumed by gym routine, I go in walks, and I chat with friends and family every now and then, nurturing my wellbeing and relationships.

BY: TESSA

It is hard to fail. The overwhelming feeling of letting the people you love down, the suffocating feeling of letting yourself go. But sometimes, that feeling is what pushes us the most. The one that is behind our greatest accomplishments. I accept my failures, and the positive impact they have on me. I understand that it is hard to recognize a failure as something helpful as we are going through one. It's even harder to comprehend that the pain we are experiencing at the moment, is what will push us to become greater. But most of the time, only after we have overcome it, we are able to realize it was only our head who was making it seem as such an overwhelming thing.

Everytime I go through a rough patch, I seem to forget that it is for the best, and I believe I'm not alone. As we go through it, it's as if we are experiencing it for the first time all over again. And we forget everything we have learned about failing. But I want to change that. I want to adopt a new view of these challenges. Failures for me aren't bad things anymore, in fact, I am grateful to have them. When I failed to launch a new recipe for my cookie business, I learned to understand why it had failed, and what to do next time. When I failed to make a lift at a competition, but still decided to try a heavier lift, I learned how strong and shaping our minds can be.

These aren't failures, they are what have taught me to be careful about what I feed my mind, and to become good at spotting where problems come from, and finding solutions. From now on, I will remember this: I am grateful for having the opportunity of failing, knowing that after this I will be stronger, and I will have learned something new.

And I invite you to do so as well.

failure and its lessons

making space for what matters

BY: NICOLAS

A Life That Continues to Inspire

This edition of Kaleidoscope is dedicated to the memory of Alberto Fernández, co-founder of Monarch Effect Foundation, who passed away on April 1st.

Alberto was many things to many people: a devoted husband, a loving father, a trusted mentor, and a hardworking leader. He had a remarkable ability to connect with others through his warmth, generosity, charisma, and genuine belief in people's potential.

His vision, values, and commitment helped shape the foundation we know today, creating opportunities that continue to transform the lives of students and families in our community.

While he is deeply missed, his legacy lives on through every student supported, every dream pursued, and every life touched by the work he helped build.

With gratitude and remembrance,

The Monarch Community