Rubi, an alum from Peru, combines a deeply curious mind with a strong sense of independence. Growing up talkative and passionate about math and chess, she learned early on to advocate for herself and fight for her perspective. Attending Younited challenged her to balance her strong voice with the value of listening to others. Today, she applies her analytical training to global contexts, bridging science and social systems.

• Now and next steps: Rubi is double majoring in Neuroscience and Educational Sciences at UC Berkeley. She is currently in Portugal completing an internship at an AI startup, where she is designing a board game to translate complex EU AI regulations into accessible terms for everyday employees.
• From stubbornness to listening: Rubi notes that before Younited, she was very stubborn and focused heavily on defending her own views. Living in a diverse environment taught her the necessity of stepping back, letting others speak, and accepting that she does not know everything.
• Bonds that cross borders: The lasting impact of Younited is reflected in Rubi’s closest friendships. Having lived closely with Russian and Israeli roommates during a period of intense international conflict, she formed deep personal bonds that transcended politics—and she hopes to visit her roommate’s family in Russia to keep those connections alive.
• Summing up 2 years at Younited: For Rubi, Younited provided the space to grow from a fiercely independent teenager into a collaborator who understands that true change requires listening to global perspectives.