By Javiera Cortez G., Civil Engineer and Geologist, and the first Chilean woman to graduate from the IIAS Ground School.
Curiosity and a sense of wonder are the driving forces behind the development of knowledge, especially in fields such as science and exploration, and they sometimes allow individual journeys to begin long before they take on a professional form. That was the case for me.
In 2024, I began pursuing advanced studies in astronautical sciences, but the path that led me to fulfill my dreams began several years earlier.
I grew up in a small town in the foothills of the Andes, in the municipality of Machalí, in a simple setting; yet the way I learned to view life was anything but simple. My parents always had a very particular way of teaching us: never look down, always look up, and hopefully even further. They taught me that curiosity wasn’t a problem, but a necessity; that asking questions was a way to move forward; and that the world—as we know it—deserves to be understood and, above all, respected.
Without realizing it, that was the starting point.
That emotional foundation turned into an academic drive and took me from the O’Higgins Region to the Biobío Region to study Geological Civil Engineering at the Catholic University of the Most Holy Conception (UCSC). In the geosciences, I found more than just a profession: I found a way to understand Chile, an extreme, diverse, and resilient land.
But it wasn't just the earth that inspired me—it was the skies as well. Growing up under the pristine skies of our country, a world leader in astronomy, allows one to dream and turn those dreams into knowledge capable of crossing borders.
That combination of experiences and aspirations led me to Europe and then to the United States.
In Spain, I delved deeper into geotechnical engineering, and in Portugal, I found mentorship as well as networks that broadened my horizons. There, I realized something important: being Chilean is also a strength. Our country is recognized for its talent, its ability to adapt, and its experience in complex environments, and that opens doors anywhere in the world.
When I received the letter from the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), everything I had done up to that point—learning languages, scuba diving, attending conferences, and publishing papers—took on even greater meaning.
In September 2024, I embarked on a journey into the field of space sciences. It was a demanding start, both technically and physically, but it also served as confirmation: engineering and science education in Chile can meet international standards. And not only that: interdisciplinary collaboration—especially in a country that is a leader in astronomy and mining—generates pioneering knowledge that is essential for humanity’s exploration.
Today I realize that my journey isn’t just a personal one—it’s a community one. Every step I take also reflects on Chile: a country capable of bringing together engineering, science, technology, innovation, and identity, with its extreme geography serving as a natural laboratory. And that inspires me to keep my feet on the ground and my mind in the sky, always moving forward.
