Mya Elizabeth Duncan

I am a dynamic and globally engaged International Relations student in my final year at the University of Texas.

Allow me to introduce myself

My name is Mya Duncan, and I am a Trinidadian American student at The University of Texas at Austin, where I study International Relations and Global Studies, with a minor in Portuguese and applied Economics. I am incredibly passionate about geopolitics, the United Nations, social impact work, and exploring cultures from around the world.

UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION

UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION

  • I am incredibly interested in traveling and learning about other cultures. Anthony Bourdain is my biggest inspiration and was the kind of person I aspire to be.

  • I am fluent in Portuguese, living in Rio De Janeiro for 3 months transformed me into a carioca. If you know me, you know I cannot live without my havianas.

    Additionally I am trying to add French to my list. I read Le Petite Prince and I constantly indulge in French Films like Plein Solei.

  • I was born in Trinidad and Tobago and lived there until I was 4 years old. In 2008, my family moved to the U.S. because of my Father's job, and I attended an International school for almost 10 years. In 2021, I moved to Baku, Azerbaijan, and finished my High School diploma. My experiences living in a few different places created a kaleidoscope of perspectives that continually shape my worldview.

  • During my final years of High School, I attended the International School of Azerbaijan, where people from many different nationalities and life experiences made up my community. My peers' backgrounds range from Romanians who have lived in China, Angola, and Kazakhstan to Texans moving abroad for the first time to Baku. Being exposed to this cultural diversity sparked my curiosity about the complexities of how and why so many people from diverse backgrounds found themselves in Baku. In efforts to satisfy my curiosity, I unraveled the nuances of their life experiences, receiving stories about their parents’ work in international fields. This is what drove my initial interest. In addition, living in Azerbaijan amid the Azerbaijan/Armenia conflict pushed my interests further into geopolitics. Seeing how Western Media versus Local Media, how my family across the globe reacted to the conflict, and the actual situation being discussed in our schools sparked my interest in the factors that go into understanding global issues from different perspectives. My years living in Baku were incredibly fundamental to establishing my ultimate interest in this field, and I hope to continue my passions by starting a career in International Economic Development

EDUCATION

WRITING SAMPLES

  • High-School Diploma, The International School of Azerbaijan, Baku

  • Freshman/1st Year of University at Saint Edwards.

    Global Studies and Economics Major

    Saint Edwards University, Austin, Texas

  • Second Year to Fourth Year

    Graduation: May 2026

    Degree: International Relations and Global Studies BA

    Minor: Portuguese, Applied Economics

EXPERIENCES

  • University of Texas RA for Dr.Stephanie Holmsten

    • Data collection and Case building for Caribbean Countries – data input on gender, ethnicity, constituency, sex, and political party, supporting the research initiatives of Dr. Holmsten, associate director of the IRG program, and Associate Professor of Instruction

    • Assist with updating the data sets for Latin American Countries

    • Responsibilities include organization, research using the IPU and national government archives

  • Banco Acredita/Clube Empreendedor Rio De Janeiro, Brasil

    • Mapped and engaged international partners and investors

    • Secured investors to support microfinance initiatives from Blue Orchard Impact Investment

    • Translated sustainability-focused investment decks from Portuguese to English. Designed investor outreach strategy to support sustainable investment solutions

    • Conducted economic research, assisting in the analysis of microcredit’s local impact, and drafted comparative reports on global microfinance models versus the Brazilian Acredita Model

    • Mapped foreign chambers of commerce and trade associations in the logistics, energy, and climate sectors

    • Gained firsthand experience in inclusive finance, grassroots development, and sustainable entrepreneurship in emerging markets

  • United Nations Young Professionals Student Chapter at UT Austin

    Founded and led a student organization dedicated to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals of Quality Education, Climate Action, and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

    Manage LinkedIn, Website, and Instagram for UNYP

    Doubled active membership within three months through strategic outreach, community engagement, and partnerships

    Built collaboration with the United Nations Association of Austin to align local initiatives with global policy frameworks and increase organizational impact

  • United Aid for Azerbaijan Intern

    • Curated visual content, designed logos, and improved platform engagement

    • Created protocols for Early Childhood Development Center Opening Event

    • Organized physical archives and media into digital platforms–Microsoft OneDrive

  • Campus Relations Lead for IRG Council at UT

    • Manage outreach strategy between IRG Council and IRG Faculty/Professors

    • Host panels with professors, engage with diversity focused campus centers, and organize events

    • Fundraise for philanthropy (Casa Marianella)

    • Coordinate volunteer events with refugee communities to provide service