About

I’m Tânia Vargas, based in Portugal. My work has moved between analysis, communication, strategy and caregiving, often in parallel, among other things. I think best by writing.

I’ve spent much of my life trying to understand how systems work; first in theory, later in practice, and often from inside them. Writing is how I make sense of what I see, notice what doesn’t quite add up, and test ideas that feel unfinished.

My formation, both formal and informal, is interdisciplinary. I’ve worked across institutional, strategic, legal, and communicative frameworks, and I’m used to moving between how decisions are made, how structures are designed, and how ideas are translated, understood, and received in various domains.

In recent years, my thinking has been shaped just as much by lived constraints as by abstract ones. I’ve navigated policy, legal and healthcare systems, bureaucracy, communication, and caregiving up close, and that proximity has changed how I think about efficiency, governance, responsibility, and many other subjects that shape the world around us. I’m interested in questions across different contexts.

 

BIO

Tânia Vargas is based in Portugal and has an academic background in international relations, marketing, and communications. She began her professional career in 2013 in communications within European-level public–private initiatives, following two years of research and education-related internships.

Her early work combined communications, policy, project coordination, and strategic roles across research, technology, and international contexts, before moving into senior marketing and strategic communication positions in both agency and international business settings. After becoming a caregiver, her work expanded to include policy-adjacent activity, health and disability communication, and advisory support, including non-paid consultancy supporting families in navigating legal, healthcare, and social support systems.

She is also a writer and speaker.

 

Areas of Work

  • Policy analysis, communication, and navigation
  • Health, disability, education, and social support systems
  • International and EU-level policy frameworks and research
  • Public-private and international institutional contexts
  • Administrative and regulatory systems
  • Marketing and strategic communications

192 responses to “About”

  1. queenofhearts58 Avatar

    Thanks for liking my post. I used to live in Liege Belgium when I was younger. Have a blessed day! Queen Of Hearts

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      You’re welcome! Come by anytime 🙂

  2. annabelcommunicated Avatar

    Thanks for liking my post! I hope to visit Brussels one day!
    Cheers,
    Annabel

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Hi! Thanks for coming by 🙂

  3. Maria Jaber Avatar

    Thank you for liking my post: GOING BACK TO BASIS — THE CITY OF JASMINE. I am glad you enjoyed it. Have a good day 🙂

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thank you 😀

  4. James W Hoddinott Avatar

    Thanks for liking my post. You may wish to explore some of my earlier posts as one of my areas of interest is also Human Rights. If interested take a look at my novel ‘When Eagles Dare to Fly” as it speaks of the issues related to Canada’s First Nations people as well as cultural groups coming together.

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thank you very much for coming by. I will definitely have a look 🙂

  5. Nguyên-Kan Avatar

    Thank you for visiting my blog and clicking likes. I lived in Leuven in 1 year. I miss it all the time and always want to visit Leuven again. Hope to keep in touch with you.

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thanks for coming by as well 😉

  6. jhdanielee Avatar

    I’m also interested in the Middle East (I love it) and the Far East with Conflict Resolutions. I’ve been studying in Boston, and currently seeking any related professional I could contribute with the knowledge. I’m glad I found someone out there working for such things. Ironically, it’s difficult to find people with global interest (other than int’l finance) even at my university right now.

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thanks for coming by! It is nice to find people with the same interests

  7. povp Avatar

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the two likes! Very much appreciated.

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Come by anytime!

  8. majbuzzcut Avatar

    HI Tânia! Thanks for liking a couple of my articles. Have a great day!! – Chris B. “The Daily Buzz”

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thanks for coming by!

  9. collectivistduck Avatar

    Thanks for stopping g by my blog! I like your articles 🙂

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thank you as well, come by anytime 🙂

  10. ANooP Avatar

    Hello Tania 🙂

    I am just going through this now, should have done that earlier. It’s great to know an international relations professional 🙂 You are the first one I know in such a field. Glad to know that your research interest includes Middle East (guessing that its GCC) cos I have lived in a couple of countries and still here, hopefully will be here for some more time.

    Cheers Tania

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thanks! My Middle East research is around Israel, Palestine, Syria and Egypt mostly 🙂 I also research on climate issues (water focus) and other stuff.

      1. ANooP Avatar

        Was curious about what you do 🙂 Hence decided to shoot you a mail.

      2. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

        Thanks, I just saw it 🙂 I’ll reply to you asap

      3. ANooP Avatar

        🙂

  11. curransa Avatar

    I thoroughly appreciate your comment on my post, especially after reading the serious topics you deal with. I plan to expand my topics, but now I am having fun writing about the little guys. So really thanks!

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Many thanks for coming by 🙂

  12. peripatos Avatar

    Thank you for liking the post. The blog is still under construction, I hope to see you again there in the future. The same I will do with your interesting posts.

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thanks for coming by!

  13. Maxima Avatar

    Thank you my friend for this beautiful blog ! I will be recommending your thoughts to all your friends.with love maxima

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Dear Maxima, Many thanks!

      1. Maxima Avatar

        Thank you to my friend have nice day with love maxiam

  14. novemberdreamer Avatar

    Hi! Thanks for liking my post! I hope to travel the world one day and become a writer and reading your posts has really gotten me thinking. When I’m older I was thinking about doing some volunteer work in other countries and was wondering if you had any suggestions or knew of any organizations? If not then sorry in advance 🙂

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Hello 🙂
      My first suggestion is UN (http://www.unv.org/how-to-volunteer.html). They have a lot of volunteer opportunities.
      Then you have GoEco (http://www.goeco.org/) for environmental related stuff; Amnesty International for human rights (http://www.amnesty.org/)…
      You can search some volunteering opportunities here (http://govoluntouring.com/).
      Some of these organisations work in difficult places, so be prepared for that…I hope I helped 🙂

      1. novemberdreamer Avatar

        Thankyou so much! You really have, I’ll check them out. I’m currently in six form but afterwards I was thinking of doing some as a gap year 🙂

      2. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

        I’m glad I helped. i think it is really nice that you want to be a volunteer 😀

      3. novemberdreamer Avatar

        Thanks, I just figure that if I need time figuring out what job I want to go into rather than wasting time doing nothing I might as well help someone else and be useful 🙂 I appreciate your help with the links!

      4. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

        Good luck 🙂

      5. novemberdreamer Avatar

        Thank you! 🙂

  15. Be Branded Avatar

    Tania, thank you for taking time to read my blog and “liking” it. Your background and accomplishments are impressive. I appreciate being associated with such intelligent people such as yourself. I will definitely keep up with your blog as well. All the Best – Tony

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thank you Tony, you are very kind. Come by anytime!

  16. Gustavo Plácido Avatar

    Glad to meet a fellow portuguese blogger. ‘Poucos mas bons”!

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Exactamente 😀

  17. Richard Avatar

    Tania, where is Leuven? It sound German, but it could be in Norway or Sweden or Denmark or Netherlands as well.

    Obrigado

  18. Richard Avatar

    Ah hah, Leuven is in Belgium.

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Yes, it is 🙂

  19. hsaive Avatar
    hsaive

    Great Grandfather migrated from “Saive”.BE — http://saive.be
    Cheers – Harold Saive
    Your wonderful photo compels me to migrate back

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thanks for coming by!

  20. Viktor Mar Avatar

    Thank you for liking my post “8 Science-Backed Reasons Why Dads Deserve More Credit.” Nice to come across people with similar interest based upon different international issues.

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thank you for coming by!

  21. #AceNewsGroup Avatar

    Thanks for stopping by and liking one of my posts which l have done the same to your excellent post on Israel and Palestine. Also l also hurt so much watching people fighting. I feel for the innocents as my post title said, but realise blame for the conflict together with secrets and lies, exists on both sides. You may also like to take a look at this post when you get time and let me know your views! Regards Ian (Editor) http://wp.me/p165ui-6ag

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thank you for your feedback! I will have a look 🙂

      1. #AceNewsGroup Avatar

        Thanks Reblogged after second read – first class 🙂

  22. Naima Shahab Avatar

    Thanks for the like! I am delighted to see that your interests include the ME. I’ve written an article I could use a second opinion on. Could you help, please? I’ll mail it to you, if yes. It’s quite a bold topic, I don’t think I can send it to a paper just yet.

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Hey, no problem at all, please send, I’ll be happy to help!

      1. Naima Shahab Avatar

        Ummm… is your email not here, or is it that I can’t find it? =P

      2. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

        Hey, it is there, it is just a bit hidden so spam bots don’t find it taniafvsantos [at] gmail.com

      3. Naima Shahab Avatar

        Ohkay! You’ll get it soon.

  23. rndo2 Avatar

    Thanks for liking my post. And thanks for understanding my frustration related to such topic.

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thanks for coming by!

  24. Patiently Waiting Avatar

    Thank you for coming by my blog the other day! Good to have fellow thinkers, readers, and writers in the blogosphere! Excellent post on Israel and Palestine, very intelligent and thought-provoking! This is an excellent blog. Wishing you all the best!

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Many thanks 🙂

  25. mildlypissed Avatar

    I appreciate your ‘liking’ my post on Israel’s actions in Gaza. Unfortunately, the Israelis understand too well what Niccoló Machiavelli meant when he related that “When a decision has to be made involving the fate of powerful cities that are accustomed to free institutions, they must either be destroyed, or conciliated by benefits.” I hold out little hope for the Palestinians (or their being “conciliated by benefits.” ) unless a champion comes forward to aid them. Either the UN should occupy the region for their safety or the Israelis should be boycotted internationally until they comply with the UN provisions for the recognition of the state of Israel (1947) that they agreed to and have never fulfilled. Just my opinion of course.

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      I agree with you, this conflict needs to be addressed quickly and with a firm hand. UN (or the mediator) need to go to the roots, not only make a 1 year cease fire… Thanks for coming by!

  26. Ray Laskowitz Avatar

    Thank you for stopping by Storyteller. — Ray

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thanks for coming by!

  27. clarepooley33 Avatar

    Thank-you so much for visiting my blog and liking my post. Your blog makes for very interesting and thought-provoking reading.

  28. Philip Stanfield Avatar
    Philip Stanfield

    Hello Tania, thank you for liking my post on Hegel. Best regards, Phil Stanfield

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Many thanks for coming by 🙂

  29. d3b01946 Avatar

    Thank you for dropping by my blog. I had two cats too. My last one, a divine all black bundle of bliss died last year aged 22. I am so heartsick still, I cannot bring myself to get another.

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      I can imagine how you feel. Time will heal, unfortunately it doesn’t bring back our friends…

  30. captken Avatar

    Tania- Thanks for visiting the offerings at the GREEN DOCK category of my blog. Good luck with everything you are doing. All the best, CAPT. KEN

  31. sadnesstheory Avatar

    Thank you for liking my post! I’ve been in Belgium many times, in Brussels. Hope you check my blog again and let me know what you think!

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thank you! I will come by your blog again 😉

      1. sadnesstheory Avatar

        Thank you, that would be nice! I will certainly check yours again!

  32. Dude the cleaner Avatar

    Thank you for like my post. I went on your website looks cool I like it keep up the good work. I am in Paris myself. Have fun.

  33. ENVIRONMENTAL ENERGETICS Avatar

    Thanks for liking our post. We also give FREE Online Courses if your interested.Ciao,

  34. mistermaxxx08 Avatar

    i’m feeling your work and your depth and the way you put things down.you truly have a way with expression.peace

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Many thanks 🙂 Come by anytime

  35. Laine Jensen Avatar

    What an interesting blog! I’m looking forward to your future posts.

  36. matinee11 Avatar

    thank you so much for dropping by my blog and liking my ‘who knew??’ post, I so look forward to reading your posts!!! 🙂

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Many thanks, come by anytime 😀

  37. royce1232 Avatar

    Good morning from Australia Tânia. Thank you for your link with my work. I am at the opposite end of the maturational scale to you. That’s my euphemism for “81+ years of age.”

    I’ve been a long time discovering my ignorance. There’s something wonderful about trying to fix it, and that’s what I have been working at since I retired, after 50 years of teaching in schools and universities,in 2004.

    Your thoughts and spirit are a signal to me to venture on, so more thanks for that. Good going with your work. I’ll try, when I can, to keep in touch.

    Royce

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thank you for your kind words! I believe that we never stop learning, and everytime that we do learn it makes us better people. Come by anytime!

  38. royce1232 Avatar

    Thank you for supporting my site Tânia. It is refreshing to an octogenarian to see your life journey filled with such a variety of interests, and powered by such energy. I’ve learned over 50 years of teaching in schools and unis that true education arrives when you discover how much you still have to learn. That seems to place me at the “postgraduate” level, but it’s such fun going on with the learning. I’ll try to visit here from time to time and will share any ideas that seem useful.

    My very best wishes,

    Royce

    1. Internationally Unrelated Avatar

      Thank you very much Royce. It is really nice to “hear” your kind words 🙂

  39. glinward Avatar

    Welcome and thank you for visiting…Journal of Hope is a relatively new site, based off of my book, “Journal of Hope” (Amazon UK), published in August. Nonetheless, glad to connect. Your life seems interesting and I wish you the best. Looking forward to taking time to review your posts, etc. and for more to come…again…thanks!

  40. Marcus Procopio Avatar

    Thank you for stopping by The Marcus Review, you’re always welcome to visit any time 🙂

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