I am most passionate about issues related to human rights and social justice, specifically poverty, inequality, racism, and discrimination. Working in solidarity with my community is what inspires me to take action. By surrounding myself with motivated and like-minded people, I feel strong and empowered, and global issues that once felt distant and daunting to solve alone begin to feel less unsolvable. I also strongly believe that in order to fully understand these issues, the voices of those with lived experiences should be lifted and amplified. Knowledge is also power. The more time you spend educating yourself, learning and unlearning, and reflecting, the more empowered and confident in taking action you will become.

I have much to learn about how I could use my skills as well as work in solidarity with others to achieve transformative change. My experiences as a Chinese Canadian with the Chinese community have taught me of the unique and nuanced challenges that newcomers and immigrants face when they come to Canada. My work at the University of Calgary has taught me so much about the systemic barriers that international, non-English speaking students and students living with disabilities face in education. Without the support and teachings of my community and mentors, these issues seem almost insurmountable. My mentors and peers have helped empower, foster, and equip me with the skills to effectively advocate for justice and take action. Through acceptance, knowledge-sharing, compassion, and mentorships, I’ve been able to cultivate my skills and broaden my perspectives. My motto is that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and that communities can accomplish greater things together than alone.

Collaboration has been a beacon of hope in my life when I have not known how to tackle personal and community challenges. I believe partnership is the cornerstone of development. Without collaboration, we cannot have development.