A Truly Global Experience
Name: Gabriela Torres
Home Country: United States
Degree: Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR)
What led you to Johns Hopkins SAIS?
A bit of serendipity. I had intended to work towards becoming a physician assistant after leaving active duty. I worked as a medical assistant at the Johns Hopkins Community Physicians Clinic in Annapolis, Maryland. The turmoil in the world wouldn’t leave my mind, though. And so, with the encouragement of the physician I worked with at the time, I decided to change course and explore Johns Hopkins SAIS.Where did you grow up and what drew you to a career in the U.S. military?
I spent my childhood in Panama and South Florida. Although my brother and I were born in Puerto Rico, my mother was from Panama. She and my father met when the U.S. entered Panama to remove the former Panamanian military ruler Manuel Antonio Noriega in 1989. I think I always knew I would serve in the military, dressing in my dad’s fatigues and sleeping on his olive green Army cot. The idea of running around obstacle courses dressed in camouflage saving the day was appealing as a kid.
Left: Torres (middle), her husband, LT Norman Overfield (left), and her brother, CTR1 Luis Torres (right) during Torres’ promotion to LT onboard the Battle Missouri in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Right: Torres on the USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) preparing for an Underway Replenishment.
Why did you pick the service branch you joined and how long did you serve?
I had the good luck of attending a high school with an engaging Navy JROTC unit. There I learned about the U.S. Naval Academy and, for the first time, about the opportunity to go to college and be in the military at the same time. I commissioned in 2014, and served on active duty as a surface warfare officer for eight years. I’m currently still in the reserves.How has your time in the military helped you with personal and/or professional growth?
The military taught me that I can overcome just about any obstacle thrown my way. The Navy provided me with the tools to take myself and others seriously. It provided me with a standard both personally and professionally that has become second nature and has helped me succeed outside of the military.The military is diverse, but the group at SAIS is from all over the world, with perspectives different from the ones I have been exposed to in the past.
What has been your favorite experience at SAIS and why?
I love getting to know the diverse group of students at SAIS, with such varied stories and impressive backgrounds. The military is diverse, but the group at SAIS is from all over the world, with perspectives different from the ones I have been exposed to in the past.What do you plan on pursuing after graduation?
I see myself advising foreign policy makers or military leaders on ways that advance U.S. interests and build genuine relationships with our allies based on mutual respect, dignity, and humanitarian principles. It could be in the civilian sector, the federal government, or even the military.What is one piece of advice you would give to students in the process of choosing graduate schools?
Don’t sell yourself short. If you want it, if it compels you, go for it. When you finally decide to apply, pick the school with the staff and environment that will make room for you to grow in ways you couldn’t have imagined. SAIS offers that, with the staff and faculty that challenge in a safe and respectful environment.If you are looking to learn more about what it's like to be a current student at Johns Hopkins SAIS, we encourage you to schedule a virtual appointment with one of our Admissions Fellows.
Enjoyed reading Gabriela's experience? Learn more about our Master of Arts in International Relations.
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