What is your educational background?

I will be a rising junior at the University of California, Berkeley studying Legal Studies and Media Studies with a minor in Public Policy. I am drawn to media, law, and policy because they all are hand-in-hand as major components of how our world goes around today. I have a passion for serving others and so I would love to combine working with people and my future career. For now, however, I am definitely enjoying really delving into each of these distinct areas of my studies and soaking up knowledge that will prepare me to go out into the world.

What have you been working on in your time at the USSC?

In my time at the USSC so far, I have had the privilege to help in conducting research for the 2020 Election Mega Project. Specifically, I have been tracking Bernie Sanders’ and Amy Klobuchar’s campaign trails. I also have assisted in a variety of other projects around the office, which has been a big blessing because this has allowed me to really get a little taste of a plethora of the numerous areas of research that takes place here. I am just beginning to brainstorm topics for my very own research, and needless to say, I am incredibly excited to get that underway as a project that I will be focusing on for the rest of my time at the USSC!

What has been your favourite part about living in Sydney?

I absolutely am loving my stay in Sydney thus far! There is SO much culture here, not to mention an endless number of adventures to be had. Perhaps my most favorite part of living in this wonderful city is how laid back everything and everyone seems to be. As a student, it’s almost a habit to be on the move from one thing to the next and so it’s been incredibly refreshing to be surrounded by people who value taking a breath. I’ve absolutely loved really taking my time to take in all the beauty surrounding me and just being present in my time here.

What do you hope to do with your experience from the USSC?

I am so thankful for the opportunity to learn under the incredible team here at the USSC. I am relatively new to research and so with this experience, I am hoping to really get a good grasp on what it means to conduct meaningful studies. I have a heart for serving others and for communicating with people, and so the chance to really delve into the complexities of what is happening in the here and now with the potential for that work to inform others is a dream come true. Although I am not 100% set on a career path, it is my ultimate hope that this incredible, growth-inducing, zone experience will propel me further down the path to whatever it is that may be in store!