Loredana (“Lori”) Munteanu has been exposed to international policy and diplomacy from an early age. After living in Moldova, a former Soviet republic, for her first six years and then returning at age 10 for another stint because of her mother’s diplomatic post, Lori has only attended school in the US since middle school, first in Maryland and now in the IB program at Marshall.

After settling in this country, Lori and her brother were invited by the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, DC to describe their experiences growing up in Moldova and the United States, from the perspectives of insiders and outsiders to both cultures. Lori found this a very formative experience which reinforced her commitment to improving diplomatic relations on the international level, as well as within her former country.

“We spoke before experts on Eastern European affairs who specifically deal with Moldova and the disputed territory of Transnistria bordering Ukraine,” Lori said. “We also discussed the issue of human trafficking. It’s a major crime problem in Moldova, forcing women and girls to become sex workers in Turkey, Cyprus, Italy, Hungary, and the Balkan countries. I felt honored to be listened to so carefully.”

Lori says she also feels honored that even a Moldovan girl such as herself was given the privilege of speaking on behalf of her people, and she hopes that her conversation will help bring about change in Moldova. Lori is inspired to continue her interest in political science at college next year, and hopes to go on to pursue a career in law.