About
| Resource Specialization | Agroecology, Climate Change Resilience & Global Development |
| Region Specialization | Latin America (Brazil) |
| International Experience(s) | Brazil (2022) |
| Hometown | Calgary, AB, Canada |
Through classes like urbanization in the Global South taught by Dr. Narayan and Human Dimensions of Climate Change courses at UVIC, I was radicalized and started to recognize a one size fits all approach to issues that are faced globally will not solve issues that are felt locally around the world.
Why did you choose the GRS specialization that you did?
When I started GRS I was most interested in Global Development but I soon began to question if it aligned with my morals and how I imagine positive change occurring in the world. It seemed to be a very colonial and top down approach that actually was not doing much to change conditions for beneficiaries. I heard it all the time, Development is a business. Through classes like urbanization in the Global South taught by Dr. Narayan and Human Dimensions of Climate Change courses at UVIC, I was radicalized and started to recognize a one size fits all approach to issues that are faced globally will not solve issues that are felt locally around the world. I am now focusing more on agroecology and how tech can actually be used to benefit farmers instead of big tech companies. I am still learning a lot and changing all the time but this is where am currently at.
Where did you travel to (or where are you going) for your international experience(s)?
I am going to Brazil next year to complete 2 semesters of exchange at Brazilian universities. When the pandemic started I was on exchange in Salvador Bahia and I am hoping to pick up where I left off. The classes I am planning to take are: Afro-Brazilian Architecture, Methods of Social Intervention, Climatology, Urban Geography, and some agriculture-centred courses as well.
When will your international experience(s) take place?
2022
What do you like best about the GRS program?
I love the freedom that doing an interdisciplinary major gives us, it allows us to honour and learn based on our interests and passions as we learn and change. I also love all the amazing people and the sense of community despite only having one semester in person so far.