María’s journey is one of discovery and growth. As a master's student in Migration Studies, she came to Europe from Colombia, carrying with her a unique perspective and a deep desire to understand the complexities of migration. "I know concepts but not as in-depth. The program really helped me understand," María explained.
Despite her academic achievements, María often felt unrepresented in her studies. "On topics like colonialism, there are so many things they are not saying in my program. These are important things to know to change the dynamics of how we show up in our sector," she shared.
Finding In-Sight Collaborative’s mentorship program was a turning point for María. "This program has been eye-opening for me. I feel like I can talk with more authority on migration now. I feel like I have more perspective," she says. The structured, supportive environment and clear guidance provided by her mentors made a significant impact.
"Mentors are so key in this process. They make me feel accompanied all the time. From the beginning to the end, it was clear what we would be covering, what we are expected to do, and how we’d be set up for success."
María appreciated the program's balance between academic rigor and human connection. "Academia is so short on words and explanations; I love the human aspect. It was so challenging for me when I started out because I had not heard of lived experiences from people who are affected and directly from people who have been working on humanitarian projects," she reflected.
A pivotal moment for María was her conversation with Seán Binder, who was a guest speaker during Week 2 when the program covered criminalization in the humanitarian sector. "The conversation with Seán Binder was top! We were talking about how we can support people on the move, but I’ve been wondering now how we can protect ourselves as humanitarians? We spoke a lot about mental health, and it’s given me a lot to consider before going hands-on as a frontline responder," María recounts.
In 2018, Seán Binder was helping with migrant rescue operations on the Greek island of Lesbos. As a rescue diver and human rights activist, Seán led missions to save distressed people in search of safe passage at sea. In August 2018, Greek authorities arrested Seán on charges of espionage, aiding illegal immigration, and belonging to a criminal organization. Seán did life-saving humanitarian work. This is not a crime, but Seán’s case is not unique.
Two years later, Afghan refugee Akif Rasuli was arrested on similar charges of people smuggling after he was found piloting a dinghy that washed ashore. He served two years of a 50-year sentence before his conviction was overturned. Mohammad Hanad Abdi, a 28-year-old Somali political refugee, saved 31 people by taking the wheel during a deadly crossing in a dinghy from Türkiye to Lesbos. For his heroism, he was arrested and sentenced as a trafficker, serving two years of a 142-year sentence before winning on appeal.
These guest speaker sessions left a lasting impression on the Mentorship Program cohort and invited discussions on how they might protect people who are made vulnerable by the system to contribute in the humanitarian sector.
These insights led María to question her career path. "When I was going through conversations with the girls in my group, I was like 'hmmm, should I not go with international organizations?' Because sometimes when you get in the system, you can help make change from the inside. Now that I have more tools to make this change, I’ve started applying for jobs and am continuing to apply there," she explained.
María's enthusiasm for the program was contagious. "I recommended this program to my friends who are doing my masters with me. It’s great now that it’s in different languages!" she shares with excitement.
For María, leadership in the humanitarian sector is defined by a commitment to restoration and a constant desire to understand marginalized folks.
"Leadership in the humanitarian sector is about making a positive impact on the lives of those in need, whether through formal structures or grassroots efforts, by embodying the core values of empathy, integrity, collaboration, and resilience.”
Reflecting on her goals for the mentorship program, María feels a sense of accomplishment. "My goal was to learn as much as I could about the field and make professional connections, and I feel like I was able to do that," she said.
Her journey through the program not only deepened her knowledge but also strengthened her resolve to make a difference. With newfound confidence and tools at her disposal, María is ready to take on the challenges of the humanitarian sector, armed with empathy, integrity, and a collaborative spirit.
