From NYU to the UN: This First-Generation Student Makes Her Voice Heard on the World Stage

In her role as youth advisor for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Yulianna participated in the Third Meeting of States Parties (3MSP) at the United Nations. 3MSP brought together representatives from more than 80 countries along with youth advocates, nongovernmental organizations, and nuclear survivors to advocate for a world free of nuclear weapons.

When offered the opportunity to deliver a speech during the event’s gender provisions, Yulianna knew what she wanted to say. “Look around this room,” she instructed attendees. “When less than a quarter of those discussing nuclear weapons are women, and when young voices are so rarely heard, we’re not just facing a gap in representation. We’re missing crucial wisdom.” 

Applause filled the space as Yulianna concluded her speech—she knew her message had resonated. “That was one of the highlights of my career. It sticks with me when I think about why I want to pursue public service and international law,” she says. 

Soon after 3MSP, Yulianna moderated an event at NYU aimed at teaching students about nuclear nonproliferation and the importance of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Attendees included ambassadors from Austria and Costa Rica, representatives from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, nuclear survivors from Japan and Kiribati, and NYU faculty members and students. At the end of the event, Hiroshima and Nagasaki Peace Messengers recognized Yulianna for her advocacy efforts. “Bringing this event to campus and being able to moderate it was so meaningful to me,” she shares.

As Yulianna continues to leave her mark on the world stage at the United Nations, her coursework and peer support system make NYU an ideal home base. This semester, she’s taking a graduate-level course on weapons of mass destruction. There are just two other students in the class, and the professor’s passion for the subject is infectious. “Because of the small class size and how interactive my professor is, I’ve learned so much,” she says.

Another of Yulianna’s favorite classes covered inter-American relations between the US and Latin America. She took it while studying away at NYU Buenos Aires, where the location added incredible context to the material. “It bridged my love for international relations and Latin America,” she says. 

Reflecting on her achievements, Yulianna has a clear understanding of where her sense of purpose comes from. “As the daughter of immigrants, everything I do is ultimately for my parents,” she says. “I will be the first in my family to graduate from college and hopefully the first to attend law school. So much of my passion comes from seeing their drive and everything that they’ve achieved.” 

Yulianna often returns to the idea of NYU as a universal key. With less than a year before graduation, she’s confirmed the wisdom of her tour guide’s remark countless times. “NYU gives you the tools—the keys—to succeed. It prepares you to unlock all the doors that the world has in store.”