Kaleidoscope

A swarm of butterflies is called Kaleidoscope. It's our hope you will enjoy this Kaleidoscope of stories sharing our students' achievements, news, and events. Take flight with us!

This month is filled with honest reflections from our students; the questions they’re asking, the challenges they’re facing, and the lessons shaping who they’re becoming. From gratitude and growth to leadership, mentorship, and late-night kitchen creativity, each story offers a real glimpse into life as an Monarch student.

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what's up this month

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Update February 2026

My greatest challenge so far:

By Nicolas:

Without a doubt, the biggest challenge I have faced has been in this academic year, as I was the Secretary-General for the fifth edition of the HultMUN conference. This meant that I had to lead different departments with my team, staff members, logistics, and marketing for the event. We faced many challenges throughout the planning of this event, and I had to stay at uni for an average of 11 hours every day for 3 months to bring this forward. This project consumed many aspects of my life, but I trusted in the efforts of my team and I to bring this forward.

The biggest challenge came when we found ourselves cornered, with low participation and unfavorable timings, we had no choice but to postpone the conference and conduct it two months later. Some of my mentors directly recommended against it, but my team was strongly for this decision, and I decided to trust my team. I am very glad this was done, because it was this way that we had the chance to collect ourselves, and bring the project back stronger than ever. The postponement originally took a big toll on me and the team, but it allowed us to see everything under a new light, one that let us see that there is no Plan B, no alibi, and no excuses to do anything less than deliver the best event we could possibly deliver.

Growth isn’t always easy, that is something I have realized through this challenge. I have also seen, in practice, the stoic idea that failure does not define you; but neither does success. Your character is defined on how you face adversity, and the resilience you show in the face of challenges that life throws at you. This experience has provided me with incredible amounts of growth, and despite the difficult parts, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

the school club transforming my experience

By Marco:

For a long time, my university life followed a predictable script: attend lectures, finish assignments, and study for exams. But this semester, the script changed.

Just a week ago, I participated in the Student Communities Presentation. Standing there—not to present a homework assignment for a grade, but to share a vision of my own—was a turning point. As I presented the AI Safety Student Club, I was able to explain that this initiative is born from a real urgency: to train not just engineers capable of building powerful systems, but responsible leaders prepared to guide their ethical impact.

We are not a conventional study group. We aim to be technological "strategists" bridging engineering with philosophy, creating a space where we question why we build what we build. It is our response to the need to ensure artificial intelligence aligns with human values.

Planning this has meant sacrificing my free time, yet strangely, it’s what gives me the most energy. I am about to launch the official call for members (convocatoria), and I feel a mix of nerves and certainty. Founding this club has taught me that the true university experience begins when you decide to take ownership of your education and dare to lead a conversation that no one else was having.

importance of mentorship

By Mariano:

Graduating from the Foundation was a milestone, but the transition into my professional career has taught me that the learning never truly stops; it simply changes form. As I navigate this new chapter, I have realized that the most significant driver of growth isn't just the work we do, but the people we choose to learn from.

Recently, I’ve had the privilege of taking on two new mentors who guide me in two very different aspects of my life. This experience has been transformative. It has reminded me that mentorship isn't just a casual conversation; it’s an investment in your own development.

One mentor might help you refine your professional strategy and CV, while another helps you navigate the spiritual and emotional weight of leadership, like in my case the past weeks.

It is easy to make a connection, but it takes integrity to maintain it. Following up, staying engaged, and showing that you value a mentor’s time are what turn a brief encounter into a lasting foundation.

Most importantly, I’ve learned the necessity of remaining thankful. In the rush of trying to "catch up" to our goals, we can sometimes forget that someone else is lending us their light. Approaching every interaction with genuine gratitude ensures that the relationship remains a two-way street of respect.

To those coming up through the program now: don't just look for answers, look for the people who will challenge you to find them yourself.

where's monarch's mug

Follow the mug!

There is so much to tell - so many small, magical adventures hidden inside my ordinary days. I may eat the same breakfast every morning, but everything that follows feels like choosing a new candy from a sweet shop: singular, unexpected, bursting with its own flavor, color, and spark of spice.

Today, I tasted a miraculous tagine, a gift from my Tunisian friend’s mother.

Tomorrow, I will run through the European woods of my dreams.

My biggest lesson so far

By Andrey:

During the year I’ve spent in university, I’ve learned so many things, both personally and academically. More than anything, university has taught me that there’s nothing wrong with making mistakes, because in the end, things will be okay.

Of course, after making mistakes, there are consequences. But thanks to those mistakes and facing their consequences, I’ve learned a lot. From simple situations like “I managed my time poorly and didn’t have time to go to the grocery store today, so I’ll have to do it tomorrow”, to bigger ones like “the information we presented wasn’t complete, and we received a poor grade”.

Each of these experiences has helped me change and mature, becoming more responsible and more aware that every habit I have directly shapes how my day will turn out.

What I wish donors knew:

By Melissa:

From the outside, being an Monarch student might look like an opportunity among many. From the inside, it feels like a once-in-an-infinity moment. Like the Big Bang, the simple fact of being here, of becoming who I am through this experience, feels almost impossible in its rarity.

This opportunity didn’t just open a door; it reshaped the entire path in front of me. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here. Period. That truth is simple and enormous at the same time.

A “thank you” will never fully reach the dimensions of what I feel, but I hope this gives you a glimpse of it. Your belief changes lives in ways that aren’t always visible, but are deeply, permanently felt. Thank you.

By Tessa:

Student life has taught me that cooking isn't just about hunger, it's about being able to develop a weekly system that saves time, money and meets my health goals. (Because yes, balance is also a thing in my fridge).

Cooking has allowed me to take learning out of a classroom, the weekly new recipes open doors for experimenting, and encourage creativity. Sometimes I have to work extra hard when I open the fridge and the only things I have to work with are a culinary puzzle: half a pepper from another recipe, a little bit of rice from Monday, and that spinach that simply refuses to give up. And that is where the creativity begins to spark.

The best part of this is that the best recipes have been created during these times, whether it was the extra sweet banana from my pantry, or the nutritious ingredient that I promised myself I would start eating. Some of my favorite recipes have been the ones that contain every single ingredient I could find in my fridge, I never knew salads could have so many flavors! It was so good it could have been put in a restaurant! Or at least good enough to eat for the next couple of weeks.

So my plate isn't just full of different recipes, it's also full of the responsibilities of becoming an adult, the creativity of coming up with new flavors, and the adaptation to budgets. Because surviving student life isn't only about studying, it is also about mixing new ingredients and hoping for the best, all while turning into a functioning adult.

Whats on my plate

THINGS IM LOVING THIS MONTH

By Kendra:

One of my favorite quotes ever, and that has been helping me stay motivated this month, is, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” — John Lennon, from Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy).

As a college student, I spend a lot of time thinking and even worrying about the future. My grades, my career, and the goals I’m working toward. But this quote reminds me that while I’m planning and striving, my life is unfolding in the present moment. It encourages me to appreciate small, everyday experiences instead of constantly rushing toward what’s next. That mindset shift has made a big difference for me this month, helping me be more present and grateful. Moreover, one habit that has been especially important for me this month is spending at least 30 minutes each day talking to or being with someone I love. During midterms, it’s so easy to get completely caught up in studying and isolate myself. But even just 30 intentional minutes can completely shift my mood and motivation. It might be calling my mom before bed, walking to class with a friend, or grabbing a quick bite together. Those small moments of connection remind me that I’m more than my grades and deadlines. They recharge me mentally and emotionally, and they make everything else feel more manageable. In a busy season, that simple habit has made a big difference.

faithful

Eric's word of the MONTH:

faithful- in your journey. trusting the process

UPCOMING EVENTS:

AARON MEYER CONCERT

We live here in Cabo and how many of us can say we've been to a Concert on the Beach??! Our friends at Sr. Pez are making it possible - hosting Concert Rock Violinist Aaron Meyer and special guests Orquesta de Casa de Música del Instituto de Los Cabos and we are all invited!

World-renowned Concert Rock Violinist Aaron Meyer brings his electrifying fusion of classical mastery and rock-and-roll energy to the beach, blending arrangements from Vivaldi and Mozart with the iconic sounds of Led Zeppelin and Queen. Aaron will perform alongside the Orquesta de la Casa de Música del Instituto de la Cultura y las Artes de Los Cabos, offering a unique opportunity to hear local students showcase their talent alongside a global virtuoso in a powerful celebration of music and education.

Sunset. Beach. Live music. Cocktails and diner. Tequila bar, and craft beer to complete your evening. Sr. Pez knows how to throw a party and this one is in celebration and support of us - Monarch Effect Foundation and the student university scholarships.

TICKETS HERE!

Our partners in College prep mentoring and EMA

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Collegio Mission for opening its doors and welcoming CPM and EMA students with such generosity and commitment.

Hosting students is much more than providing space—it is about creating an environment where learning, collaboration, and growth can truly flourish. Through Mission’s support, students have had the opportunity to engage in meaningful academic experiences while also feeling part of a community that values their development.

Our partnership with Mission reflects a shared vision: empowering young people with the tools, guidance, and encouragement they need to succeed. By believing in the potential of CPM and EMA students, Mission is helping shape not only their academic journeys but also their confidence and sense of purpose.

Daniela Enríquez

Newsletter Editor

Thank You, Colegio Mission

Q: “What advice would you give to students who are doubting their major or feeling lost in college?”

EMA:
Sometimes college feels like one big question mark. You move to a new place, meet new people, and often are expected to know who you are and where you are going. In the middle of all that, it's normal for many to start wondering if they picked the wrong major… or even the wrong version of themselves. However, it is important to remember that college isn’t a final decision. Here’s the advice I wish someone had given me earlier: don’t panic based on one bad week. Give things a real try. Take the next class, talk to an upperclassman, go to office hours, and sit with the discomfort before deciding it’s “not for you.” Most of the time, confusion isn’t a sign that you failed. Adjust slowly. You don’t need a full reset, just a next step.

By: Kendra 🦋✨

🦋 ASK EMA

Link to video

EMA is the voice and guide inside our Emerging Monarch Academy (EMA) workshops — part mentor, part motivator, part “ask better questions” coach. EMA believes one simple truth:

“Who you’re becoming matters just as much as who you are.”

EMA isn’t here to give all the answers. She’s here to spark curiosity, confidence, and conversations that help students grow. And now, she’s joining our newsletter to share those ideas with you!

Meet EMA in the video below

Newsletter Archive