Summer 2026 AFE: Cristian Iturriaga Nielsen MIDP'27

Sometimes the Smallest Decisions Shape Our Biggest Journeys

By Cristian Iturriaga Nielsen MIDP’27

This article was originally published on the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center site as part of the Summer 2026 AFE Blog.

In early 2025, I had the privilege of serving as an exchange instructor at West Point, teaching cadets while supporting the academy’s academic and military training objectives. During that time, I became close friends with the Japanese exchange officers. Almost as a joke, and a personal challenge of course, I enrolled in their beginner Japanese language classes.  

It never crossed my mind that less than two years later, that small decision would lead me to spend an entire summer living in Tokyo, interning at the Embassy of Chile in Japan.  

Fast forward to summer 2026, living in Japan during my Applied Field Experience has given me the opportunity to broaden my world, visit important cities such as Kyoto and Osaka, and even get the chance to go to Disney at Sea!

Japan is a very unique country, and it has given me countless moments to pause and reflect. Walking through temples and historic sites, I am constantly reminded of the depth of a civilization that has evolved over more than a thousand years. It is humbling to stand in places where traditions have been preserved and refined across so many generations.  

What has impressed me even more than history itself is the extraordinary attention to detail found in everyday life. Whether in architecture, craftsmanship, gardens, ceremonies, or even the simplest daily tasks, there is a visible dedication to mastery. As an Army officer, this resonates deeply with the discipline and precision that military service demands. Time is the most valuable resource any of us possesses, and seeing people invest that time in creating beauty, preserving traditions, and pursuing excellence is both inspiring and refreshing. It serves as a reminder that not everything should be disposable or rushed; some things deserve patience and care.

Working at the Embassy of Chile has been equally transformative. The learning has been exponential, allowing me to apply many of the concepts I have studied at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, while also drawing upon the values and experiences I have gained through the Rotary Peace Fellowship. 

The very first week of my internship taught me that diplomacy is experienced in the everyday moments, when people choose to understand one another. Inside the Embassy, every day is an effort to build bridges between countries, businesses, institutions, and, most importantly, people. Diplomacy is often associated with high-level meetings and negotiations, but I have learned that it also happens through small, consistent acts of cooperation, trust, and service. 

One of the greatest surprises has been discovering the work of the Consular Section. Before arriving, I largely associated consulates with passports and visas. Instead, I found an institution that serves as an extension of the Chilean state abroad, supporting citizens through births, elections, emergencies, legal matters, and some of the most difficult moments they may experience while living overseas. Assisting in these efforts has been especially meaningful because the impact is immediate and deeply human. Behind every case is a person seeking guidance, reassurance, or simply someone willing to help. 

Among the many unforgettable experiences this summer, participating in a Shinto ceremony in Tokyo stands out as one of the most meaningful. I was honored to present an offering and pay my respects according to local tradition. Beyond learning about a religious ceremony, it became an opportunity to approach another culture with humility, openness, and genuine respect. It reinforced a lesson I hope to carry throughout my career: building bridges between cultures begins not with speaking, but with listening and sincerely seeking to understand one another. 

Another memorable opportunity was attending the Japan Drone Expo 2026. Japan has long been recognized as a global leader in innovation, and witnessing emerging technologies firsthand was both fascinating and encouraging. Beyond the technological achievements themselves, what inspired me most was seeing innovation directed toward improving people’s lives, from disaster mapping and search-and-rescue operations to logistics and humanitarian response. Technology, when guided by human needs, becomes another form of public service. 

The more I learn, the more convinced I become that leadership is not about having all the answers — it is about being present, staying curious, and engaging with people as they are. Human-centered professionals understand that diplomacy is ultimately about relationships, building trust, recognizing our shared humanity, and creating opportunities for our communities and countries to grow together. 

Every new experience, every conversation, and every cultural exchange continues to shape the kind of leader I aspire to become. 

I am deeply grateful to the Rotary Peace Centers for making this experience possible, to Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy for providing the academic foundation that prepared me for this opportunity, and to the Embassy of Chile in Japan for welcoming me and allowing me to contribute to its mission. This summer has reinforced my belief that leadership begins with service, diplomacy begins with empathy, and lasting partnerships begin with people. 

Cristian Iturriaga Nielsen, a Captain in the Chilean Army, has been involved in peace and development at different levels, working in the field leading small units in natural disasters and humanitarian aid. He has also worked in education as a faculty member and instructor with appointments at the Chilean Joint Peacekeeping Operations Centre and at the United States Military Academy. 

A Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Fellow, Cristian is pursuing a Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) at Duke. After graduation, he hopes to strengthen collaboration among the armed forces, civilian institutions, NGOs, and partner nations to foster more ethical, efficient and purpose-driven approaches to peacebuilding.