A passion for politics and public service took University of the Ozarks senior Gabriel Mendoza of Guatemala straight to the halls of his home country’s Congress this past summer, where he gained a firsthand look at the legislative process through a unique internship opportunity.
Mendoza, a triple major in business management, psychology and political science, spent a week working alongside Guatemalan lawmakers as part of Bancada Abierta, Juventudes en Acción (Open Bench, Youth in Action), an initiative sponsored by the Movimiento Semilla political party’s legislative bloc in the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala.
The program is designed to engage young Guatemalans in the political process by giving them an inside look at how their government operates, from legislative debates and committee meetings to the day-to-day responsibilities of elected officials.
For Mendoza, who has long been interested in politics and public service, the opportunity was an ideal fit.
“Participating in a program like this one was something I have been wanting to do for a while because it allowed me to learn more about what congress is and what it does, but at the same time learn more about Movimiento Semilla,” Mendoza said. “I also believe that the program attracted me because I am in favor of open justice and governance, and transparency, values that Movimiento Semilla practice and believe.”
Throughout the week, Mendoza immersed himself in the legislative process, beginning each day at 8 a.m. with informational sessions and workshops focused on Congress and the legislative branch. The afternoons provided opportunities to see those lessons put into practice.
“I had different activities with Victoria Palala, a congresswoman of Movimiento Semilla, and her amazing team, where I also learned about legislative laws,” Mendoza said. “After lunch, we had visits to different places, whether that was a meeting with a commission, inspection visit, or even just watching the parliamentary session in congress.”
Beyond gaining a deeper understanding of the legislative process, Mendoza said the experience strengthened his passion for politics and reinforced his desire to make a difference in his home country. Working alongside elected officials also gave him a new appreciation for the leadership and responsibilities involved in public service.
“I was so happy and excited to learn from members of congress who have good leadership skills, such as Brenda Mejia and Luis Ventura, and seeing their work up close,” he said. “In more specific terms, being able to participate in a program like this one was a great opportunity to get involved in how the congress works. On the student side, participating in Juventudes en Acción gave me the chance to gain real experience within the Guatemalan legislative branch. On my personal side, I was able to achieve a dream, which was participating in the politics of my country.”
The experience also helped Mendoza envision his future beyond Ozarks. Following his graduation in the spring, he plans to return to Guatemala and pursue a career in public administration or another area of public service, where he hopes to put his education and newfound experience to work.
Perhaps most meaningful to Mendoza was seeing a political organization actively encourage young people to become involved in shaping their country’s future. He hopes similar opportunities will continue to grow throughout Guatemala.
“It was a great experience getting to know the congressmen and congresswomen in person and getting to know more of the specific work they do,” he said. “I enjoyed applying my political science student view to what I was learning and I also loved that Movimiento Semilla wanted to involve the youth like me and others who want to get involved. My entrepreneurial mindset was very happy about it because I know the power and influence on innovation, so, I hope these type of spaces can continue spreading throughout the country.”
Topics: Student Stories