From NPSIA to “International 911”: Valentina Canales Burke’s Global Impact
When Valentina Canales Burke applied to grad school, she wasn’t entirely sure she’d go. But when she was accepted to all the programs she applied to—including public policy at McGill and international relations at uOttawa— she made a clear choice: NPSIA’s MA in International Affairs.
“At the end of the day, I realized international affairs wasn’t just an interest—it was what I wanted to build my career around,” she says. “NPSIA was the program that aligned with both my passion and my goals.”
That decision paid off. Today, Valentina works as an Operations Officer at Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre—what she playfully calls “international 911.” She helps Canadians abroad through some of the most difficult moments of their lives, from medical evacuations to dealing with deaths and kidnappings. “It’s intense, but so fulfilling to know I’m helping people when they need it most,” she says. “Travel can be life-changing, but when the unexpected happens, I’m proud to be part of the team that helps people navigate through it.”
Valentina’s time at NPSIA was filled with equally high-impact experiences. She completed a co-op in trade at Global Affairs Canada, went on exchange to Sciences Po in Paris, and served as a panelist at the Canadian Association of International Development Professionals’ annual conference. Through her work as NPSIA’s social media assistant, she became a well-known and well-connected presence in the school, capturing events, interviewing students, and developing strong relationships across the faculty.
“I’m proud of how many people I’ve connected with. It’s a nice feeling to walk into a room and see familiar faces—or have people recognize me from something I worked on.”
Those connections have opened doors—literally. She credits Larry Lederman, a former ambassador and NPSIA Fellow, as an unexpected mentor who introduced her to Ottawa’s diplomatic community. “He’s invited me to embassies, cultural events, concerts—he’s been incredibly kind and generous with advice.”
As she looks to the future, Valentina is eyeing the foreign service exam, continuing her work in consular affairs, applying to international conferences for young diplomats, and exploring opportunities across Europe.
“NPSIA changed my life,” she says. “I came in unsure of where I fit, and I’m leaving with the confidence that I belong in these rooms—and that I can make a difference.”