CATALINA RODRIGUEZ CATTOLICA
PIE Student - Friends of Fulbright 2022
Hi, I am Catalina! I am 22 years old and I am almost an economist. I am working on my final thesis which is about a highly debated idea, Universal Basic Income. Indeed, public policies is the field I am interested in the most. I am passionate about economics and I would like to implement the present and future acquired tools to compel a change in my country.
TUCUMAN
I was born in Tucuman. It is the most densely populated, and the second-smallest by land area, of the provinces of Argentina. Located in the northwest of the country, the province has the capital of San Miguel de Tucumán, often shortened to Tucumán. Neighboring provinces are, clockwise from the north: Salta, Santiago del Estero and Catamarca. It is nicknamed "El Jardín de la República" (The Garden of the Republic), as it is a highly productive agricultural area.
-Casa Historica - Historical Monument where Argentina declared its independence ( July 9, 1816)
Tucuman autumn' s flora
Tucuman' s Government House
Landscape - El Cadillal - Tucuman -Argentina
THE VALUES I GROWTH UP WITH
As leaders of their own life, my parents have been my inspiration.
On the one hand, my father has been my motivational support. He taught me about discipline and compromise. He used to remind me about the drop that corrodes the stone, not because of its strength but of its discipline. Nowadays I save this phrase in my heart; it is the engine of everything I undertake and it is a symbol of never giving up.
Besides this, I would like to stand out to him as an example of overcoming too. He was 38 years old when he decided to start his studies; 6 years later, he became a lawyer. No matter how cliché it sounds but he showed me never is too late to take charge of your life.
On the other hand, my mother has been my role model. I have been a witness of her effort and her progress. She showed me strength and motivated me to be an outstanding woman wherever I am. Furthermore, she taught me that the scarcity of resources shouldn't be a limitation to achieve my goals, which is very useful nowadays because I am capable of doing whatever I propose to myself independently of economic constraints.
My mother is also a symbol of the struggle against chauvinism as she became a leader within a historical man-working sector, architecture.
Luis Rodriguez Bottini - My father
Maria Veronica Cattolica - My mother
Santina Rodriguez Cattolica, my sister. Santina is 11 years old; !!!!!poner info sobre la flaca
ONCE I HAVE ACQUIRED THE TOOLS…
When I was at elementary school I was a referrer between my fellows. I was the national flag carrier which is an Argentinian distinction usually given to those students who achieved the highest GPA. I probably wasn't the smartest one but I had an invaluable feature: constancy. Moreover, I would like to highlight that I wasn't the typical one whose only activity is studying; I have been part of many sports teams. I practiced artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, handball, mountain bike, swimming and hockey. With respect to the former, I won many provincial competitions and with respect to the last one, I was selected to be part of the provincial hockey team. What I mean is I was a reference not only because I used to spend hours in front of books, but also because I had various other activities in which I developed other personal features. In that sense, I have to thank my mother who has always pushed me to do recreational activities such as sports, theater and crafts. I consider it is essential for a good leader to be a complete person, to be someone who has been involved in different fields and has developed contrasting features in each one.
Being at High School I was elected as the representative of my class for 5 consecutive years. What is more, the sixth year I was elected as the president of the Secondary School, which is considered an important goal for those Argentinian students who want to follow a political career. Furthermore, I achieved the highest GPA within the students of my class so I was the flag carrier once again.
As expected, I had a very good performance at university too. This time was much more difficult but I managed to distinguish myself.
Thanks to Argentina's public education that gave me the possibility of studying, thanks to my professors who have been unconditional for me and thanks to my effort nowadays, I can assure I have the necessary tools for continuing with my studies and becoming a leader in the Economics field.
Stemming from what I mentioned above, I couldn't be who I am without the people that supported and surrounded me.
My parents endowed me with the seed of leadership, the people I came across during my 22 years helped me to nurture it.
Graduation Ceremony - University of Tucuman - 2022
Nala has been my first pet and motivates me to fight for a world that is fair for all species
WHO I EXPECT TO BE
I have always had this internal feeling of helping others, of contributing to this world to be a better place. I would like to fuse this ambition with my interest in politics and economics. In the first place I want to advocate myself for R&D in the public policies field, secondly I would like to become an Argentina s representative.
As a political representative I would have the possibility of compelling changes based on my contributions to R&D; furthermore, I could take a more active role in the struggle against chauvinism.
During the last years I have learnt about the importance of taking care of our planet. In accordance with this, I would also have the opportunity of contributing to breaking the species barrier and giving the same value to every creature inhabiting this world.