Signing off after eight years
What do you do when you never got the chance to sign your name in the famous Leiden ‘Zweetkamertje’, the Sweat Room, after graduation? Alumna Maria Juliana Tenorio from Colombia emailed her faculty alumni officer with the request to sign the wall of the Sweat Room. Eight years ago, she was unable to attend her graduation ceremony. Now she’s back to have her moment: “It’s such a relief and it feels amazing!”
From Colombia to The Netherlands
Leiden University alumna Maria Juliana Tenorio from Colombia decided to enroll for the LL.M Public International Law at Leiden University. She chose Leiden because of its excellent reputation and the fact that classes were taught in English. Maria now works as a diplomat. She spends part of her time at the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the rest of her time abroad.
Missing Leiden
“I had a very good time in Leiden and was very focused on my studies,” Maria tells us. “But on Monday and Wednesday evenings, there was time for fun with other international students from all over the world. I even learned to ride a bike. Something I still do back home in Colombia.”
As a diplomat, Maria occasionally stays in The Hague for work, but this was her first time back in Leiden. “It’s great to be back in Leiden and to finally be able to sign my name in the Sweat Room.”
Alumni passport
Maria Juliana Tenorio
From: Colombia
Studied: LL.M Public International Law
Currently works at: Diplomat at the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
How has studying in Leiden helped your career? “I think it helped me a lot. My work nowadays uses a lot of the theory I learned during my time in Leiden. If people ask me where I went to University I tell them Leiden and they are very impressed.”