Senior Joaquin Garcia (UCLA 25) reflects on his journey from a small ski town to the nation's top public university, where he found his academic calling, honed his passion for advocacy and laid the groundwork for a future in law and public service.

By Victoria Salcedo

UCLA International Institute, June 10, 2025 — Joaquin Garcia (UCLA 25) will graduate this spring with a double major in international development studies (IDS) and political science, and minors in both global studies and Chicano studies. His journey from a small mountain town to the number one public university in the country reflects just what UCLA offers its students: world-class academics, leadership opportunities and a space to figure out who you are and what you want to do. 

Garcia grew up in Mammoth Lakes, California, a tight-knit community with “a lot of natural beauty, but not the most diversity.” He knew early on that he wanted something different for college. 

“I always knew I was attracted to this university,” he said. “UCLA was the perfect opportunity to pursue both high-tier academics and also remain [in] proximity to home.”

When he arrived, Garcia tried several academic paths, including pre-medical and economics tracks, before finding something that clicked. “I actually didn’t even know the IDS major existed when I got here,” he said. “I took IDS 1 [Introduction to Development Studies] with Professor Appel and immediately fell in love with the course," he said. "She was very passionate about what she was teaching and very engaging.” 

What he found in IDS was a field that challenged his worldview and sharpened his understanding of systemic inequality. “It taught me the historic roots to everything… how ultimately it’s all interconnected. It made me see outside of my bubble,” he reflected.

Double majoring in political science only strengthened that perspective. “It gave me different insights into the philosophical side of the issues I’m currently learning… I honestly would be so amazed when [class content] would cross over.” 

One course in particular, his IDS capstone with Professor Chun [Senior Seminar: Protest, Movement and Development], left a lasting impression. “It was a very curated course in preparing students how to do [research]. Professor Chun worked with us through every step of the process,” he said.

“On top of that, it was a course on protests and development,” continued Garcia. “I realized how grassroots-led [protests are] in other parts of the world… It taught me the reasons people are protesting. The scale of the issues they’re protesting are [at] magnitudes I’ve never seen within my lived experience.”

“It was a nice way to conclude the IDS major,” he concluded.

Learning by leading: Finding a voice outside the classroom

Garcia’s time at UCLA was shaped as much by extracurricular involvement as it was by academics. He joined the Latinx Pre-Law Association early on, later serving as the internal relations director. “It was really nice to find an environment of like-minded individuals,” he reminisced. 

He also served as a student staffer in the External Vice President’s Office, focusing on federal relations. Traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet with congressional staffers was a transformative experience for the undergraduate. “We were there to make [students] heard, represented,” he said. 

“The ones who make the biggest impact are the people who are affected by [the] issues,” he said. “[That position] allowed me to pursue that… involvement in politics I’ve always admired. But it also taught me about how opposed I am to the political system.”

Garcia further built community through UCLA Residential Life, working to foster inclusion among students living in the Southwest Apartments. His position as an outreach coordinator was “ultimately about creating inclusion and advocating for students,” he said.

One of the most impactful experiences of his time on campus was participating in the LINK program — Leadership, Innovation, Networking and Knowledge. LINK is a year-long leadership development initiative that connects undergraduates with faculty, administrators and other student leaders through mentorship, workshops, and community-building. “That organization made UCLA go from a 40,000 plus intimidating environment to a very close-knit school,” he answered. “It was an opportunity… to connect with faculty and a lot of student leaders.”

Preparing for what the future holds

Garcia also explored professional pathways, completing an internship with J.P. Morgan as part of their Project Mosaic Emerging Talent Winter Cohort in Los Angeles, where he learned the fundamentals of associate banking. “It taught me a lot about finances… I was able to engage with different communities and help them address their financial needs. It’s expanded my scope of knowledge.”

After graduation, Garcia plans to take what he calls a “growth year” before applying to law school. “I’ve been doing academics for the last 16 years now… I do feel a little burnt out.” He is currently preparing to travel to Italy after graduation through the UC Education Abroad Program. It will be his first time in Europe. “I think that’ll be a very rewarding experience in terms of learning how different cultures work,” he shared.

Looking ahead, he hopes to pursue a legal career centered around global justice and community-driven development. “I plan on pushing [for] development that is inclusive.”

Garcia encourages incoming students to explore what IDS and global studies have to offer. “Take a few classes and see if it’s for you,” he said. “[E]ven if it doesn’t end up being the major for you… it’ll certainly be a positive experience.” Most of all, he said, “The professors you’ll meet within the field… that in itself is enough of a benefit.”

The Bruin senior is both proud and sentimental about his four years at UCLA. “I was very intimidated when I got here, and I am now very sad to be leaving,” he said.

Published: Tuesday, June 10, 2025