The Yale International Relations
Association Global Essay Competition
2026

Micah Draper is a first-year from Wallburg, North Carolina majoring in Global Affairs and Modern Middle East Studies with certificates in Education Studies and Arabic. In addition to his role as a delegate competing for the Model United Nations Team at Yale, he is President of the Yale First-Year College Council, plays French horn in the Yale Concert Band, and is the Under-Secretary-General of Beginner Committees for Yale Model UN Europe. Aside from school, Micah is an avid pickleball player and loves to hike, especially in the North Carolina mountains.

Hello! My name is Alba Quintas Núñez and I am an international student from Spain at Yale. I am double majoring in Computer Science and Political Science, and I love to write. Back in Spain, I participated in several writing competitions and in 2023 I was awarded the best young journalist of my region. I also proofread college essays for prospective Spanish applicants to universities in the US. I look forward to reading all your pieces!

Marah Rigaud, a native of Long Island, New York, is a student at Yale University with plans to major in Global Affairs and African American Studies. She is deeply passionate about human rights, international relations, and law, with a strong commitment to driving meaningful change on a global scale. Marah aspires to work with non-profit organizations and contribute to initiatives led by the United Nations, aiming to address pressing social and political issues worldwide. Her dedication to advocacy and international collaboration reflects her vision for a more equitable and inclusive future.

Milo is a first-year student at Yale University and intends to major in Mathematics and Philosophy. He is currently enrolled in Directed Studies, a year-long humanities program where he writes weekly papers in Philosophy, Literature and Historical and Political Thought. Outside of the classroom, Milo competes on the Model UN Team at Yale and also plays for the Yale Club Tennis team. Milo is a dual French/British citizen and grew up in London.

Netra Easwaran is a sophomore at Yale University, majoring in Political Science. Netra competes on Yale’s Model United Nations Team and Yale’s Debate Association. She has served as Director-General of Committees for YMUN Dubai II, Crisis Director for YMUN Europe, and Assistant Secretary-General of Committees for YMUN 50. Netra has also been involved in projects for the Yale Policy Initiative and Undergraduate Legal Aid Association. She is a Board Member of the South Asian Youth Initiative, a Contributing Reporter for the Yale Daily News, and Events Chair for the Hindu Students Organization.

Felix is a Freshman at Yale studying Ethics, Politics, and Economics. He is from Alaska but also has lived in New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, China, and Canada! Felix is a member of MUNTY and the Yale Debate Association at Yale. He is passionate about education and foreign policy and is looking forward to reading and mentoring these awesome essays!

Melanie is a sophomore at Yale studying History and Russian. She is from Miami and is on the competing Model UN team at Yale! Outside of her involvement with MUN, Melanie writes for the Yale Undergraduate Law Journal, works at the Wu Tsai Institute, and helps students in Florida learn public speaking skills. She is very excited to read your essays and learn about your passion for international relations!

Neuroscience major and Sophomore at Yale University. Training director of Yale’s Competitive MUN Team. New York native, and Atlanta transplant. Current Baltimore, MD pseudo-resident. Aspiring lawyer and infrequent ballet dancer.

Shalina is a sophomore at Yale University majoring in Global Affairs. On campus, she's involved with MUNTY, Yale's competitive Model UN Team, and is on the executive board of the Yale International Relations Association (YIRA). In her free time, she loves to travel, spend time with her friends, and cook.