Participating in Democracy Summer and the Congressional Youth Cabinet has been an incredible opportunity to engage in civic activism and connect with leaders shaping the future of our nation. During Democracy Summer, we campaigned on behalf of Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, President Joe Biden, and the Democratic Party, transitioning to support Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee. It was an extraordinary experience to be part of such a historic moment in American politics. Highlights included attending rallies, meeting Governor Josh Shapiro, and witnessing Kamala Harris announce Tim Walz as her running mate at a rally filled with energy and optimism.

In addition to the hands-on campaigning, we participated in weekly virtual sessions with Congressman Jamie Raskin and other Democratic leaders. These discussions provided invaluable insights into pressing national issues and offered a platform for me to pose questions about educational policy, a topic I am deeply passionate about.

These experiences not only strengthened my understanding of political systems but also deepened my commitment to educational equity and civic engagement. They perfectly align with the interdisciplinary goals of the Global Scholars program, inspiring me to integrate my passion for advocacy and public policy into my academic and professional pursuits

Participating in the Singapore Sister School Pen-Pal Dialogue Sessions in both 2022 and 2023 has been an enriching and transformative experience, fostering cross-cultural understanding and meaningful connections. In 2022, I engaged in virtual discussions on topics like social media, education, and global citizenship, reflecting on how shared values and aspirations transcend cultural boundaries. Building on that foundation, the 2023 sessions expanded our conversations to include academic systems and career goals. I connected with a student who, like me, is passionate about piano, and we bonded over our admiration for Rachmaninoff and the challenges of the RCM program.

These sessions also highlighted differences, such as an ND classmate and I sharing our aspirations in law while many of our Singaporean peers expressed interest in medicine. Comparing our exam schedules—APs and ACTs versus O-Levels and A-Levels—underscored the unique challenges of our respective academic environments.

These experiences have enhanced my appreciation for global dialogue and its ability to bridge divides, align interests, and foster friendships. They align seamlessly with the interdisciplinary goals of the Global Scholars program, inspiring me to integrate global perspectives into my academic and professional pursuits.

Participating in the GEBG Virtual Dialogue on the War in Ukraine in 2022 was an eye-opening and transformative experience, fostering global awareness and meaningful cross-cultural connections. The session brought together students from the United States and international schools to discuss the far-reaching impacts of the conflict, including its geopolitical, economic, and humanitarian dimensions. In my breakout group, which included peers from India, I was struck by how well-informed they were about the crisis and how frequently it was discussed in their classrooms, highlighting the importance of adopting a more global perspective in our own education.

Our conversations explored not only the conflict itself but also the media’s portrayal of it and small-scale ways to make a difference, such as sharing information and staying informed. Inspired by this dialogue, I deepened my understanding of the conflict through further research and felt empowered to approach global issues with greater awareness and action. This experience perfectly aligns with the interdisciplinary goals of the Global Scholars program, fostering empathy, critical thinking, and a commitment to understanding and addressing global challenges.