Meet Dani Gonzalez Gaubeka, ’26

Dani Gonzalez Gaubeka, '26, is graduating this spring with a major in international relations and a minor in global studies with a specialization in European studies. From interning at the European Parliament in Brussels to representing Stanford at a policy competition in Washington D.C., Dani has made the most of opportunities to bridge classroom learning with real-world policy engagement. This fall, she'll continue her studies at the University of Oxford as an MPhil candidate in European politics and society. We sat down with Dani to learn more about her Stanford journey and how the global studies minor shaped her path forward.

What drew you to the global studies minor?

I was first drawn to the global studies minor after taking Professor Christophe Crombez’s Introduction to European Studies course. The global studies minor has given me an invaluable opportunity to explore my interests in international affairs and cultures in greater depth.

What was the most meaningful or memorable experience from your time in the global studies minor? 

Interning at the European Parliament with Renew Europe through the Global Studies Internship Program last summer was a transformative experience. The six weeks I spent in Brussels at the heart of the EU taught me so much about how policy is crafted, negotiated, and enacted. I also learned a great deal from my policy advisor and my fellow interns. I left Brussels eager to return and with newfound clarity of my future career interests. 

What experiences outside the classroom helped shape your Stanford journey? 

In addition to the time I spent abroad interning in Brussels and studying in Florence, engaging with real-world policy issues outside the classroom has provided invaluable opportunities for learning and growth. This spring, I represented Stanford alongside a team of three other students at the 2026 Schuman Challenge, a policy competition hosted by the EU Delegation to the United States. Putting together our policy proposal and presenting it to a panel of policy experts and diplomats in Washington D.C. was deeply gratifying. These experiences have allowed me to approach pressing issues in global politics with the knowledge I’ve gained in my courses. I also appreciated sharing these experiences with fellow students — I am continuously learning from my peers and am deeply inspired by them. 

As you reflect on your time at Stanford, what accomplishment or experience are you most proud of?

I am most proud of writing an honors thesis with the Fisher Family CDDRL Honors Program. It was equally a deeply gratifying and challenging experience: working on a project over the course of a full year is a great undertaking, and it would not have been possible without the support and guidance of my advisor, Professor Anna Grzymała-Busse, my faculty mentors, and my cohort.

How has the global studies minor changed the way you understand the world—or influenced your future plans?

The global studies minor has played a key role in shaping my interest in pursuing my graduate studies and career abroad. I am incredibly grateful for how studying European studies has equipped me with the knowledge to pursue my academic and professional interests beyond Stanford’s campus.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be pursuing an MPhil in politics (European politics and society) at the University of Oxford this fall.