Published March 06, 2026
A First-Generation Stern Student Charts Her Path at NYU
Wendy Benitez Jaramillo came to NYU from California as a first-generation student, eager to explore new experiences and push beyond her comfort zone. With only one semester left, she’s packed an incredible amount into her four years—study abroad trips, multiple internships, and active involvement in both NYU and New York City organizations.
On top of her Stern School of Business major in Business and Political Economy (BPE), she found time for minors in Chinese and Environmental Humanities. Now, as she approaches graduation, Wendy is excited to keep exploring and tackling new challenges, all while giving back to those following in her footsteps.
Integrating Interests Across NYU
For Wendy, Stern’s BPE program perfectly aligns with her interests in global markets, business, and social impact. In her classes she has worked directly with real clients, advising representatives from the Republic of the Marshall Islands on investment advocacy and helping a women-led, sustainable Costa Rican company enter new markets. Her passion for social causes also led her to pursue an Environmental Humanities minor at the College of Arts and Science, giving her a more holistic understanding of the challenges facing society.
As for her Chinese minor, Wendy simply took a Chinese elective in her first semester and enjoyed it so much that she decided to continue. “The Stern curriculum gives you the flexibility to explore interests beyond business. Plus, our academic advisers are incredibly supportive when it comes to course planning,” she says.
Becoming a Global Citizen
Another reason Wendy chose the BPE major was its emphasis on global learning, including two semesters abroad. “As a first-generation, low-income student, the potential to study abroad felt like an entirely new world,” she recalls. Now, Wendy has traveled to multiple continents, visited historic sites and famous museums, and connected with people from across the globe. She even interned with a European economics journal in London.
In addition to semesters abroad in London and Madrid, she spent two months at NYU Shanghai in the Summer Chinese Language Immersion Program. She also visited Japan through a short-term immersion course. “If you had told me when I was a high school senior that I would do all of this, I would not have believed it,” she shares. “Getting to be a global citizen has been an amazing and really impactful part of my NYU experience.”
Culture and Community
Wendy has always valued her Mexican American heritage, and organizations like NYU’s Mexican Student Association have helped her stay connected to that culture. When she struggled with homesickness in her first year, Wendy found comfort in familiar food and music and speaking Spanish at the group’s events. Since then, she has become active in Mexican Folklorico and cofounded NYU Latina Scholars, organizing events that showcase and exhibit art focused on identity and immigration. A long-time Aztec dancer, Wendy also joined Cetiliztli Nauhcampa, a New York City–based group with whom she has performed at the National Museum of the American Indian.
What’s more, Wendy found community through NYU’s FOCUS Mentorship Program for first-generation students. The program matched her with Elvira, a first-generation Mexican American NYU graduate student, and the pair quickly bonded. “From our very first meeting, I felt comfortable sharing my entire life story with her,” Wendy reflects. “I was able to talk about what I was feeling and have someone understand. Her mentorship was essential to my success during my first year.”
A Launchpad for the Future
Within Stern, Wendy also benefited from the Stern Breakthrough Scholars Leadership Program. It supports select high-achieving students with financial assistance, leadership development, professional workshops, one-on-one coaching, mentorship, and networking opportunities. “This program has meant so much to me,” Wendy says. “It really offered a lot of opportunities for growth.”
In fact, a corporate visit sponsored by the program led to Wendy’s recent internship in international wealth and banking at HSBC. Now, she has accepted an offer to start full-time after graduation. Until then, Wendy is focused on finishing her classes and giving back to the places and programs that shaped her NYU experience. From serving on the Breakthrough Scholars Advisory Council to helping new students navigate Stern as a member of the Stern Undergraduate College Street Team, Wendy is now the one helping others find their own paths to success.
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