Vanessa Panaligan

Status: Student
Thesis: No thesis on file.

Vanessa graduated from The University of Tampa in 2007 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Government and World Affairs along with certificates in European Studies, French, and International Studies. During the summer of 2005, she participated in a study abroad course on the politics of the European Union at the University of Cambridge.

Since her undergraduate years, Vanessa has traveled extensively for work and volunteerism. A passion for altruism led to a handful of short-term community development projects in the Dominican Republic, South Africa, and Morocco. Vanessa has also volunteered multiple times with the Association C.H.A.M. (Chantiers Histoire et Architecture Médiévales), a French-based NGO in historic preservation.

After the completion of her studies, she gained work experience interning with the British Council, or the cultural department of the British Embassy, and the Arab American Institute, where she honed her skills in public communication and research.
2008 brought Vanessa to Brussels after having been selected to participate in the traineeship program at the European Commission's Directorate General of Research. At the Commission, she spearheaded a website development project that promoted the research advancement initiatives of the European Union within the member states and in neighboring countries.

At Georgetown, Vanessa aims to combine her degree in Communication, Culture, and Technology with a Certificate in Arab Studies. After social and identity issues of the Arab population in Europe, especially France, piqued her interest, she now hopes to develop a specialization in public diplomacy and cultural affairs, particularly with the Arab and Islamic worlds.