Meet Mariana Larach (GRA’26), a Global Real Assets student ambassador and Georgetown undergrad alum who returned to Georgetown to pursue a Master of Science in Global Real Assets. As part of the program’s inaugural cohort on Georgetown’s new Capitol Campus, Mariana shares what drew her back to Georgetown and how the GRA program is shaping her perspective on real estate, infrastructure, and the future of global real assets.

Coming back to the Hilltop has been one of the most exciting decisions I’ve made. After earning my undergraduate degree from Georgetown, returning for the Master of Science in Global Real Assets (GRA) program felt like the perfect next step, a chance to learn about real estate and infrastructure while reconnecting with the Georgetown community. Even more special, our cohort is the inaugural class of Georgetown’s new Capitol Campus, located just steps away from the U.S. Capitol! The change of scenery from the Hilltop to the heart of downtown D.C. has been incredible.

One of the things I’ve loved most so far is the sense of community. With a cohort of 30 students, every class feels personal, collaborative, and discussion-driven. My classmates come from different parts of the world and from various industries, including financial services, construction, sales, and consulting. The diversity of experience and perspective has made class discussions significantly richer.

The hands-on learning has been a huge highlight. This semester, we’ve toured many incredible developments in the area, from Capitol Crossing, a mixed-use development reconnecting downtown D.C., to the Marriott Capitol View Hotels in Arlington, where we explored the strategy behind designing sustainable hospitality properties and the broader impact those decisions have on the environment, community, customers, owners, and Marriott as a brand. These experiences have helped bring the coursework to life!

Almost every class features guest speakers who bring firsthand experience to our discussions. We’ve learned from professionals representing the World Bank, IFC, Hilton, top development and investment firms, as well as data center experts. Their perspectives keep each class engaging and help connect class topics to real-world trends shaping the future of real assets.

Early in the program, we had the opportunity to take on a real consulting project for Jubilee Housing. This D.C.-based nonprofit provides deeply affordable housing. Through the Community Development Clinic, our team developed and presented recommendations on unit mix, ground-floor retail tenant selection, and public plaza improvements to help strengthen community engagement in Adams Morgan. Throughout the process, we heard directly from Jubilee collaborators, including the project’s architect, attorney, and development team, who joined our class to share insights and feedback that shaped our final recommendation. It was a rewarding experience to apply what we learned in class to a real-world project and to know that our recommendations and ideas could soon come to life in the community.

Another part of the program I’ve really appreciated is the career support. The Jackson Lucas partnership and dedicated Career Center have provided us with access to leading employers. Through one-on-one career coaching and technical office hours with real estate firms such as Walker and Dunlop, I’ve learned a lot about the various paths in real estate, how to position myself for them, and how to succeed in the recruitment process.

As I continue through the program, I’m eager to learn alongside such passionate peers, faculty, and industry leaders!

Interested in connecting with a current student ambassador? Email graambassador@georgetown.edu