Maria Julia Tomás Cardoso, known as Maju, a dual citizen of Brazil and Uruguay, graduated from TASIS The American School in Switzerland in May 2026 and has chosen to attend Esade in Barcelona, where she will study Global Governance, Legal Order, and Economics with the ultimate goal of pursuing a career in diplomacy or politics. Her acceptance to all seven universities to which she applied—Esade, IE University, SOAS University of London, Queen Mary University of London, Northeastern University, University of Westminster, and Royal Holloway, University of London—reflects her exceptional academic and personal qualities. A gifted linguist who speaks Portuguese, English, Italian, Spanish, and French, Maju accomplished an extraordinary amount during her two years at TASIS. She completed seven Advanced Placement courses—Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology, English Literature and Composition, US History, Spanish Language and Culture, and Italian Language and Culture—and earned the College Board's highest honor, AP Scholar with Distinction, for scoring a 3 or higher on at least five exams while compiling an average score of 3.50 or higher. She won the Excellence in Italian award her senior year, and her dedication to fostering intercultural connections earned her a Torch Award during International Week and the ECIS Award for International Understanding at the Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony. Maju was equally dynamic across student leadership, athletics, and the arts. She served the Residential Life community as a prefect and held a seat on the student-directed Global Service Program Board. A standout three-sport varsity athlete, she captured MVP honors in both soccer and basketball while garnering the Coaches' Award for Tennis. Her creative talents further enriched campus life through her performances in the spring musical, her singing with the High School Choir, and her excellent guitar playing. She also delivered a speech and performed several songs at the Class of 2026 Senior Banquet. In a reflective interview shortly after graduation, Maju credited TASIS with preparing her well for college, emphasizing that the residential setting and daily contact with people from all over the world gave her the opportunity to grow and understand herself better. She expressed deep gratitude to the College Counseling Office, particularly Mr. Wickham, for his unwavering positivity and moral support throughout the application process, stating that without him she would not have been able to get into college.
Maju identified the Global Service Program as her most inspiring experience at TASIS, noting that traveling to Cambodia was unforgettable and taught her a new way of perceiving life, ultimately shaping her desire for a future career that allows her to help people. She also highlighted International Week as a powerful way to learn about each other's cultures and ways of living, affirming that internationalism is a value she believes should be applied more often. Among her courses, she will remember AP Psychology most fondly, along with all her English classes for their interest and Micro/Macroeconomics for their challenge. She reserved special praise for Mr. Dalton, whom she described as the sweetest and best tennis coach and advisor ever, and the person who made her believe she could successfully navigate AP courses. When asked what she will miss most, Maju pointed to the people—waking up and seeing everyone, talking to everyone—and described the experience of living on a beautiful campus immersed in a great environment with great people and activities as priceless. Her reflections underscore the transformative impact of TASIS's holistic approach, which combines rigorous academics, global service, athletic and artistic engagement, and a close-knit residential community. Maju's journey from a multilingual student leader to a future diplomat exemplifies the school's mission to foster international understanding and personal growth. Her success in gaining admission to all seven of her chosen universities, and her decision to pursue Global Governance, Legal Order, and Economics at Esade, speak to the strong foundation she received. As she embarks on the next chapter of her education, Maju carries with her the lessons of empathy, curiosity, and resilience cultivated during her two years at TASIS.
