From Réunion to UNICEF: Pursuing Social Justice Through International Law

From Réunion, a French island near Madagascar, Maellynn Karuranga’s (France, UWC Mahindra, Earlham ’26) path to international law began with a chance conversation. She became the first Réunionnaise to attend UWC Mahindra College in India, where her interest in social justice deepened.

“The Peace and Global Studies major at Earlham really stood out to me,” Karuranga says. “I wanted a place where I could build a community like we were able to at UWC, and also a place that would be small learning community with proximity to the teachers and lots of diversity.”

Her journey led to a semester in Thailand, followed by a funded internship with UNICEF in France through Earlham’s EPIC Advantage program. There she educated children about eco-citizenship and children’s rights, helping organize major events like UNI Day and developing child-friendly ways to communicate the theme “living in a healthy environment.”

“I’m very grateful to have the EPIC Advantage,” Karuranga says. “I’m a student, and I couldn’t have done it without this support.”

This fall, she’s taking Introduction to Diplomacy, connecting classroom learning to her UNICEF experience. “This class will help me interact positively with others, making sure I’m doing so in a diplomatic way. UNICEF really taught me how to shift and adapt who I’m interacting with,” she explains.

Karuranga is exploring master’s programs in international law and social justice, building on experiences at UWC, Earlham, and beyond.

This profile is part of the “Undergraduates in Action” series from the 2026 Annual Report