Throughout my academic and personal journey, connection has been the coal that keeps my train moving. The connections I build through travel, learning, and shared stories have shaped both my understanding of the world and the kind of journalist I want to become. I believe that connection and education are the gateways to a more thoughtful and responsible life.
A teacher once told me that journalism is both literally and metaphorically the act of writing history. That idea has guided me ever since. Journalism, to me, is about documenting truth and humanity in ways that inform and connect people. I want to contribute to that process by telling stories that challenge assumptions and build understanding between cultures.
Travel has been central to my development as a person and as a writer. After high school, I lived in Prague, which gave me my first experience living abroad and helped me appreciate the value of cultural exchange. The following summer, I spent three months in Porto, Portugal, working at a hostel and learning to communicate across languages and experiences. I have also travelled to Turkey as part of my university’s varsity volleyball team, which taught me that sport can connect people across borders. Most recently, I lived in Khao Lak, Thailand, where I completed a solo co-op internship that deepened my understanding of international communication and visual storytelling.
During that internship, I attended surf competitions organized by the company and observed how media teams covered the events. They captured stories, interviewed athletes, and created narratives that reflected both the energy of sport and the identity of place. Watching their work reminded me why I am drawn to journalism. It combines observation, creativity, and connection in a way that reaches people regardless of language or background.
In my early academic work, I often wrote about sport because of my background as a varsity volleyball player and the access I had to that community. Over time, however, I realised that I wanted to apply my narrative skills beyond sport, focusing on stories that examine people’s values, resilience, and lived experiences in broader cultural contexts.
In the future, I hope to work in international reporting, focusing on stories from areas affected by conflict, climate, or humanitarian crises. My goal is to produce coverage that is accurate, fair, and grounded in compassion. Journalism has the power to shape how the world understands itself, and I want to be part of that process.