Hillary Arreaga

Hillary Arreaga is a junior at Penn triple majoring in Criminology, Law & Society, and Latin American &
Latinx Studies, on the pre-law track. This spring, she will travel to Argentina and Chile as part of People
of the Land: Indigeneity and Politics in Argentina and Chile, a Penn Global Seminar focused on the
political demands and cultural resilience of Indigenous communities, particularly the Mapuche people of
Patagonia. Growing up in Washington Heights, New York, Hillary developed a passion for advocating for
marginalized Latinx communities, which has shaped and continues to shape her academic and career
goals.
At Penn, Hillary is deeply involved in mentoring first-generation college students through the Gateway
Student Mentorship Program. She also serves as the Professional Development Chair for Unidos Pre-Law
Association, Penn’s first undergraduate Latinx pre-law society, and tutors incarcerated individuals in
Spanish for the math portion of the GED through the Petey Greene Program.
In her free time, Hillary loves hanging out with friends, discovering new spots to eat, and spending time
with her dog, Polo. She dreams of one day traveling across all of Latin America, immersing herself in the
region’s diverse cultures and traditions. Her experiences abroad, including a summer semester in Madrid,
has further deepened her understanding of how culture, law, and social justice intersect across different
countries, inspiring her commitment to advocacy and legal work.

During her time in Argentina, Hillary is eager to:

• Visit Mapuche communities to learn directly about their land claims, intercultural education, and self-determination efforts
• Engage in interviews with local leaders and researchers to understand the challenges Indigenous peoples face and how they address them
• Witness the natural beauty of Patagonia, from Neuquén to Bariloche, while exploring the intersections of culture, environment, and policy
• Immerse herself in the rich culture of Argentina through local food, traditions, and music