During my time at GDS, I centered my thesis on indigenous approaches to special education, in an attempt to decolonize the American education system's approach to special education. The interdisciplinary nature of the GDS program has shaped my professional path after UVA. After graduating in 2022, I moved to Taiwan to teach through a Fulbright Scholarship. As a teacher, I worked in two indigenous Paiwan elementary schools. As an American teacher in this setting, critical lessons from the GDS curriculum and constant self-reflection were crucial for responsible engagement in these indigenous communities. After my Fulbright scholarship, I moved to Boston to work with Ceres, an environmental nonprofit. My work at Ceres focuses on deforestation, water sustainability, and food systems. This upcoming fall, I will be attending the University of Oxford to pursue a MPhil in Development Studies. I am excited to continue my academic and professional journey in development studies!

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