Ana Alejandra Leal Lara
Ana Alejandra Leal Lara comes from Mexico. Before she applied for an MSc at IHE Delft, she searched for a Master’s for about two years and then she heard about IHE Delft through the Rotary Scholarship programme. Now she is studying Water Management and Governance. After discovering the same challenges in the academia and government, she decided to look for an MSc that would teach her more about the social and political issues related not only to the environment in general, but to water in particular.
About IHE Delft: Ana found the relationship with UNESCO interesting and furthermore she likes the international environment and diversity at IHE Delft.
The most impressive thing is to connect with other students, listen to different water issues around the world and find out that even though we live in different realities, we encounter the same problems.
Why she decided to study in the field of water: ‘’I was the coordinator of the Municipal Watershed Programme in my home town. I realized that there are a lot of challenges, from technical issues to political debates around water, at a local, as well as at a national level. Moreover, I have been passionate about water since my childhood; with my teachers and classmates we went around the neighbourhood trying to make people aware about water issues in Mexico city’’
About problems in her home country: ‘'The distribution of water is one of the main issues in Mexico; there is a big difference in the availability and demand of water throughout the country. Water treatment is also a subject of concern, because it is quite low, particularly in rural areas. In Mexico, we have to face enormous challenges since the percentage of treated water is not enough for a growing population.”
About Delft: ‘’I like the old architecture of Delft, I live in the centre of Delft, in Papenstraat. The first day that I arrived the temperature was the same as in Mexico, so I felt like I was at home.’’
After her studies Ana would like to gain more international work experience and go back to Mexico to solve water issues and challenges.
Interested?
IHE Delft offers two new Master of Science programmes: the MSc in Water and Sustainable Development and the Research MSc in Water and Sustainable Development. Furthermore, IHE Delft is involved in joint MSc Programmes offered with partner institutes.
