Student Stories
International Studies Grad Roberto Espinoza Vaca Goes from Local Roots to Global Perspective
As Roberto Espinoza Vaca crosses the stage this October with degree in hand, he does so as a global-minded thinker ready to tackle the challenges of trade and food sovereignty. Growing up in Mexico with a family rooted in agriculture, he transformed his early connection to food systems into a meaningful international journey at SFU.
He explored the impact of technology and policy on Tanzanian farming communities through SFU's Field School, gained valuable problem-solving opportunities in Mexico’s agricultural export sector, and found his community as Vice-President, Finance of the International Studies Student Association.
While growing up, Espinoza Vaca saw firsthand how international markets, trade agreements, and development policies shaped the realities of agricultural communities. It was no surprise when he found himself drawn to the interdisciplinary program in International Studies.
“I became more interested in the broader issues that shape those systems—global politics, development, trade, and environmental issues,” he says. “That realization pushed me to shift my focus and pursue a degree in International Studies.”
At SFU, Espinoza Vaca made the most of the program’s experiential learning opportunities. One of the defining moments of his degree was the Tanzania Field School, where he led a community photovoice project documenting local farming practices and strategies for addressing climate change.
While working with local farmers, he was struck by the similarities between the agricultural challenges in Tanzania and those of his home country.
“Both regions rely heavily on staple crops like maize, and both use traditional methods and Indigenous knowledge to sustain biodiversity,” he explains. “I was especially impressed by the adoption of hybrid maize varieties in Tanzania, which increase productivity and resist disease.”
However, he also recognized that such innovations could displace traditional seeds that are more resilient to drought—a concern he had seen reflected in Latin America’s conversations around food sovereignty and GMOs. “It made me realize how interconnected agricultural challenges are, even across continents,” he says.
The Field School deepened his understanding of community-driven collaboration—the importance of ensuring that research and policy development are partnerships informed by local voices.
In 2024, Espinoza Vaca also completed an international summer internship in Mexico’s pulse export trade sector. He fondly recalls a complex case involving a dispute with a Brazilian client over a chickpea shipment that risked escalating into arbitration under the Grain and Feed Trade Association.
“At first, I felt the pressure—though I was an intern, my research could influence a major decision,” says Espinoza Vaca. “After reviewing our contracts and risks, I recommended a friendly commercial settlement to avoid a likely loss in arbitration. The company followed my advice, preserving the relationship and avoiding costly escalation.”
Beyond resolving disputes, he audited supplier records to improve transparency among local farmers, an experience that strengthened his initiative and ability to apply critical thinking under pressure.
His internship was complemented by IS 497: Field Practice, a 4-credit course that allows International Studies students to connect their work or volunteer experience with the global issues explored in class, and reflect on the workplace experience in relation to one’s career and ideas of work.
For his final course essay, Health Concerns Regarding GMO Crops in Argentina, Espinoza Vaca examined how multinational corporations have affected Argentinian farmers through the nationwide introduction of GMO crops. “It allowed me to combine my professional experience in the pulse industry with my interest in food systems,” he says.
After the summer internship, Espinoza Vaca’s curiosity about global perspectives led him to the National University of Singapore for a semester abroad, where he studied international relations and political science from a new cultural perspective.
“Living in such an environment made me appreciate Singapore’s unique ability to bring together people of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and other backgrounds into one national identity,” shares Espinoza Vaca. “As an international student, I felt welcomed, which made the experience even more meaningful.”
Being in the heart of Southeast Asia also allowed him to travel to Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand—each trip offering a different cultural perspective and reminding him of the region’s diversity despite the geographic proximity.
Looking back, Espinoza Vaca credits SFU’s International Studies program for helping him bring what he learned in the classroom about international economics, security, development, and global governance into the real world, equipping him with the skills to navigate global challenges professionally.
“Choosing International Studies at SFU was the right decision,” says Espinoza Vaca. “The experiences that shaped me most were the ones that required stepping into the unfamiliar—opportunities like the Tanzania Field School, my internship combined with IS 497, and my exchange at NUS in Singapore.”
He says he is grateful for the mentorship and accessibility of his professors, whose ability to connect classroom learning with their own research inspired him to link his studies to his agricultural roots and global trade interests.
For Espinoza Vaca, the key to success in university is embracing opportunities beyond the classroom and investing time in the SFU community, whether through clubs or associations. “University is about growing, making connections, and discovery,” he says.
He shares one quote that guided him through his studies from entrepreneur Richard Branson: “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, say yes—then learn how to do it later.”
“Growth comes from stepping into the unknown,” says Espinoza Vaca. "Take them or try to find them if unavailable, because they may shape your life in ways you never expected.”