Last summer, through Princeton’s International Internship Program (IIP) I interned at the social policy unit of the nonprofit think tank, Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) Malaysia. IIP funds students to intern for 8 weeks at a partner organization in over 50 countries. As this was my first ever internship and my first time in Malaysia, I was very excited about the opportunity. However, as I was the only intern at IDEAS from Princeton, and this was my first time living alone abroad, I was also quite nervous going into my internship. 

When I first arrived in Kuala Lumpur, I had a few days before my internship began, so I decided to travel around to see local attractions. One particular site that I remember fondly was the Batu Caves, a Hindu temple located inside a cave system with 200 steps leading up to it. Next to the stairs is the largest statue in Malaysia, the gold and monumental Murugan statue. I remember trekking up the steps and being surprised at the number of monkeys accompanying me on my journey up. I also remember having a refreshing sip of coconut water around the base of the caves and being excited by the lively energy of the site – a great representation of my time in Kuala Lumpur as a whole. 

When I started my internship, I was excited at the sheer breadth of research opportunities I was presented with. I was primarily tasked with conducting data collection and drafting a paper on youth unemployment in the ASEAN region, transcribing interviews, editing case studies, conducting qualitative research, and writing summaries of other academic research. I particularly enjoyed the travel opportunities that were a part of my internship at IDEAS: visiting Malaysia’s Ministry of Health to take notes during the launch of a paper on breast cancer, and traveling to Gua Musang to conduct a workshop on Orang Asli education. The Orang Asli are the Indigenous peoples of Malaysia.

Beyond the travel for my internship, I also had time for some personal travel on the weekends, venturing around Malaysia and Southeast Asia. I went to Penang, and was particularly amazed by the Kek Lok Si temple, a massive Buddhist temple complex that affords a great view over Georgetown, the main town in Penang. I also went to Melaka, and traveled down the river that runs through the town. I was also able to visit my friend in Hanoi, Vietnam and there I tried what is now my favorite Vietnamese dish: bun cha. 

Speaking of trying new food, interning in Kuala Lumpur exposed me to some delicious Malaysian cuisine. I distinctly remember trying char kway teow at Little Penang Cafe at Kuala Lumpur City Center with my friend and loving the spicy, crunchy, savory taste of the dish. I also tried banana leaf, a dish where an assortment of rice, vegetables, curry and meats are laid on a banana leaf. I also had many different types of drinks including teh tarik, a sweet tea drink, bandung, a milky rose syrup drink, and some of the best matcha lattes I have ever had!

Although this experience placed me severely out of my comfort zone, as I had to navigate a new culture and country whilst working, I also loved my internship experience. I grew professionally and became great friends with my co-interns. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to complete an IIP and want to highlight how Princeton offers professional and cultural options for all students – no matter your previous experience. I cannot wait to visit Kuala Lumpur again. 

“Just trust me, you’ll be fine.” 

These are the words I wish someone would have told me after college decisions came out; that period of my life feels like it was ages ago, but it has only been two years since I opened my application portal with a feeling that can only be described as both anticipation and anxiety. 

This anxiety doesn’t go away after the dreaded decision day. It manifests itself days and weeks after too — especially when you start weighing your choices of where to go — or for the early birds — what to pack, what to expect, and what will happen in the next 4 years of your life. 

Understandably, a lot of big changes will come about in the next few weeks and months. Here’s an unofficial guide of what to do (and expect) if you are feeling lost and something that I wish younger me had access to: 

1. Be kind to yourself —Whether or not you got in, or are still waiting for a decision, celebrate yourself and how far you’ve come! It can be a hard day for everyone but remember that these decisions don’t determine your worth. So congratulate your friends, celebrate yourself, and hug your loved ones a little tighter. 
2. Most colleges will send an email with next steps outlining different events or things to anticipate in the coming weeks or months. Make sure to read each and every email thoroughly! You might be asked to send photos for your student ID cards, verify your financial aid information, or undergo a series of educational programs that will help you better acclimate to campus life once you’re there. 
3. Start crafting a list of things you need to purchase, bring, and pack. What’s the weather like in the Summer and Winter? Will you need a bike? It might be a good time to start curtailing a spreadsheet of items to look over and doing some research. 
4. Ask for help — there are a lot of resources online that prepare you for what move in day will look like, different orientation programs, meal plans, etc. Each college is unique in what it has to offer but current students and the school’s official website will be your best friend during this time, so don’t be afraid to consult these resources. 
5. And lastly, take it slow! You’ll have a whole Summer ahead of you to figure things out and figure out the next steps. Be present — cherish your remaining time at school. Spend more time with your loved ones. But most importantly, be excited! 

In the blink of an eye, time will fly by — while this period will usher in many changes, some things will stay the same. 

You’ll always have your home, your family, and your friends to support you, but most importantly, you’ll always have yourself. Be your biggest cheerleader and look forward to the next couple of months! 

Every Summer, the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS) offers students the unique opportunity to learn from a Princeton professor abroad whilst earning course credit. The dubbed ‘Global Seminars’ include a range of topics in a range of locations – from Culture and Politics in Vienna to Capitalism in Kenya – all of which allow the student to immerse themselves in the culture of their host country.

This past summer I was afforded the opportunity to attend one of these seminars, A Land of Light and Shadows: Modern Greek Literature and Photography, in Athens, Greece. As both an academic and personal desire, the seminar was a truly unique experience that I am grateful to have been a part of.

Coming to Princeton, one of my main to-dos was to study abroad – it is something that I had been dreaming of for a long time. This was compounded by the fact that I am half Greek, a part of my background that I identify heavily with. Having never had the opportunity to visit the home of my grandparents, I jumped at the opportunity offered by PIIRS. The Global Seminar, apart from appealing to my heritage, also piqued my interest in photography and by extension, how it relates to literature.

The seminar began in early June and spanned until the middle of July. The duration of the seminar allowed for so many opportunities to see and explore Greece, both alone and as a part of the seminar. I was joined by 14 other students as well as Professor Eduardo Cadava and graduate student Anthie Georgiadi. Living and learning together, we created bonds that will last our time at Princeton and even beyond!

One of the core aspects of the seminar was the daily language class taught by Anthie, a native Greek speaker, who introduced us to the Modern Greek language. Although difficult at first, it became progressively easier to pick up as being immersed in the country allowed me to see how the language was spoken. Along with the language class, the seminar taught by Prof. Cadava was held twice a week, where we met and discussed readings relating photography to Greece while exploring the more philosophical aspects of the texts. Some of my favorite discussions revolved around how philosopher Gerhard Richter (we actually met him!) relates photography to death. On a similar note, many of the readings mentioned different areas around Greece, many of which we visited, including Athens, Delphi, Galaxidi, Mycenae, Nafplio and Crete. We were able to explore archaeological ruins, usually privately guided by an actual archeologist!

The other main aspect of the seminar was the weekly photography workshops, where we met with renowned photographers who showcased their work and assigned us projects. This was a truly unique experience since these photographers are experts in their field. Additionally, there was also at least one guest speaker event every week. The speakers ranged from Greece’s former Minister of Culture and Education to artists who worked on activist issues – a truly diverse selection. In short, the guests that contributed to the seminar were nothing short of amazing.

Overall, this past summer was one that I will remember for the rest of my life, for many, many reasons. To any student, current or prospective, I strongly encourage participation in a PIIRS global seminar – it is an opportunity that you cannot miss. I am truly humbled to be a part of the Princeton community and have access to such unique and impactful opportunities.

What do I want to do this summer? 

I kept asking myself this question over sophomore year. The past two summers I had studied abroad and worked a retail job in my hometown, but I knew, going into my junior year, that I wanted to do something explicitly related to my career. 

I want to go to law school. In a perfect world, I work as a Staff Attorney at the ACLU in their Immigrants’ Rights Unit. I am drawn to issues pertaining to detention centers and citizenship rights, and I wanted what I did over the summer to, in some capacity, address that.

This is why I chose to work for the RISE community partner CANY. CANY, or the Correctional Association of New York, is a non-profit promoting criminal justice reform. They conduct independent monitoring and oversight of all 44 New York State correctional facilities to improve transparency, identify harmful practices, and decrease incarceration across the state. With grounding values of respect, justice, and anti-racism, I was immediately drawn to CANY’s mission. 

I was on the Monitoring and Reporting Team, which organizes visits to correctional facilities, formulates standardized surveys to send out to incarcerated individuals, and is responsible for correspondence with incarcerated individuals and their loved ones. As an intern, I connected incarcerated individuals to social and legal services, conducted one-on-one interviews, and built CANY’s volunteer database to expand the facility visit program.

The environment was incredibly supportive, but the work was hard. While my supervisors were considerate of my time, communicated expectations clearly, and gave ample opportunities to ask questions, the material was heavy. Daily, I sifted through testimony about the abuses incarcerated individuals faced in facilities hundreds of miles away from their families. When working with organizations addressing issues of racial injustice and other inequalities, one can feel inundated with all the bad in the world. RISE gave me an opportunity to look at the nonprofit work I wanted to be involved in, and ask myself if I could handle it mentally and emotionally. 

This was a critical challenge to face. Through support from my co-workers, I learned to establish boundaries between myself and my work. Through generous funding from RISE, I was able to afford living in New York City with two of my best friends (also RISE fellows and PICS interns!). I learned ways to recharge – taking weekend trips to meet friends, cooking dinner with my roommates, or calling family back home. It was a summer to experience a new kind of independence, a taste of what post-grad could be, and affirmation that the service-focused professional world was where I wanted to be. 

To anyone considering the RISE program – reflect on what matters to you. Identify community organizations that align with your values, and push yourself to face the challenges that accompany new professional and personal experiences. Being a member of the Princeton community comes with the responsibility of serving communities beyond just our own. RISE gives us a unique opportunity to do just that.

 

Princeton Internships in Civic Service (PICS) is a program that connects students with summer internship opportunities at nonprofit and government organizations in a wide variety of fields, ranging anywhere from healthcare to education. PICS is a funded opportunity, with students receiving a lump-sum stipend before the start of the summer. This stipend can be used towards any costs associated with your internship, including housing, food, and transportation. In addition to funding, PICS provides students with a network of resources and alumni to better support them during their internships and beyond. Through PICS, I spent this summer working as a Communications and Development intern at the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF) in Trenton, New Jersey.

The way that PICS works is relatively straightforward. At the end of the fall semester, a list of PICS community partners is released. This means you have about a month to choose up to two organizations to apply to, as well as prepare your application materials, all before the January deadline to submit your application. Interviews are usually held throughout the month of January, and by early to mid-February, you are notified about whether you have been selected for an internship.

When I was first looking into PICS, LALDEF stood out to me as it aligned with my own interests and personal values. LALDEF works to empower immigrants living in Mercer County, helping them navigate the systems and resources necessary for their own self-sufficiency in the United States. This includes access to legal services, citizenship test preparation, ESL classes, and youth mentoring programs. I am very interested in immigration work, and am considering the possibility of at some point working in the nonprofit sphere, so LALDEF made complete sense for me. Additionally, I loved that it was located near campus, as integrating myself more into the community surrounding campus is something I value greatly.

During my nine-week internship, I stayed on campus and took the train every day to Trenton. I worked Monday through Friday, eight hours a day, which meant that every morning, I made the trek from the train station to the office and up the stairs to the third floor, where our office space was located.

Most days after work, I would spend my time staying active, putting together puzzles, reading, and unwinding from the day. The weekends were a great opportunity for me to get off campus, even going into NYC twice over the summer.

The internship itself entailed a wide range of tasks and projects. As an intern working in the Communications and Development department, I was able to interact with the whole LALDEF team. Some of my major projects were designing the 2023 Impact Report and putting together the Fall 2023 Newsletter. The creation of the newsletter involved designing the layout itself, as well as contacting the different program heads to fill the newsletter with content and updates from each program. I was also involved in a variety of different supporting tasks within my department, but within other departments as well. I learned the importance and process of grant-writing, and conducted interviews with past and present clients to assemble testimonials for promotional purposes. One of the most impactful moments of the summer was sitting in on a legal intake interview, where I helped translate a client’s migration story.

All in all, I feel that I gained valuable insight into nonprofit work thanks to my PICS internship. I also learned what I like about different work experiences and environments, and what I would like to do differently in a future internship or job. Princeton-funded opportunities for internships (and research, if that’s more your thing) feel limitless at times. There is truly something for everyone, and the process will feel so much less overwhelming when it's upon you.

“Have you made any friends yet?”

That was the million-dollar question on everyone’s mind. Over the summer, I interned at the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan through Princeton's International Internship Program (IIP). While I had lived alone, I had usually stayed at a student residence where it was easy to make friends. This time I was truly on my own.

Unsurprisingly, every time I called my mom, she wanted to know how I was doing socially. My parents, my program coordinator, even my coworkers — it was the one question they ended a conversation with. It was also the one question I could not seem to answer. Outside of work, the most social interaction I had was probably with the food stand owner near my apartment — but it’s hard to call someone a friend if the only thing you’ve said to them is “Pork rice with egg, please.”

A couple weeks into my internship, the Princeton Alumni Association of Taiwan invited me to a brunch, and who was I to say no to free food? At the brunch, I sat next to Mai, a sophomore from Thailand who was learning Chinese over the summer. We bonded over wanting to visit Jiufen, a town in northeast Taiwan that looks like the setting of “Spirited Away.” And while I did enjoy a wonderful meal and have great conversations with the alumni, as Mai and I exchanged contacts, I also began to carve out my answer to the question everyone had been asking since I landed.

A week later, we made it to Jiufen, despite almost missing the train there. At the teahouse, we learned the ins and outs of Taiwanese tea ceremony. We learned that you should smell the tea before you drink it. We also learned that a little tea goes a long way — the server told us that one set of tea leaves could make at least 15 cups of tea. Although it seemed doable, we learned that even three hours of pouring, waiting, smelling, and drinking was not enough time to get through it all.

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Under the scorching July sun, we did it all. We watched “Oppenheimer,” putting our Chinese reading skills to the test as the subtitles flashed on the screen. We tried Taiwan’s famous pineapple beer, which was more beer than pineapple.

One night, we went to Dadaocheng to watch the fireworks. We navigated the bus system together (and then the little alleyways after it dropped us off a fair distance away from where we expected). We stood amongst the hoards of people, unsure whether to find a good spot or get a drink first. Although the fireworks show was only a few minutes, we hung out by the pier for hours — by the time I got back to my apartment, the streets were full of people getting their midnight snack.

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For our last adventure, we found ourselves drinking tea on yet another mountain. This time, we were sitting with two old men, who were confused about what a Thai and an Australian were doing together in Taiwan. That seemed to be the second big question of the summer: “How do you two know each other?” The answer to this one was much more convoluted. But, having already explained it a few times to other people, we were much better rehearsed in front of these two men. I’m not sure how much my Chinese reading skills improved, but I definitely became fluent in reciting our origin story.

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This summer, I was faced with two pretty big questions. But after weeks of thinking, here are my final answers — yes, I did make a new friend and as for how we know each other… let's just say 这有点复杂 (it’s a little complicated).

Every summer, a great number of Princeton students, both undergraduate and graduate, move to the nation’s capital for internship, job and research opportunities. They pursue a wide range of positions, from working for members of congress, getting hands-on policy experience to getting involved with nonprofits.

The Princeton in Washington (PIW) program, which is run by the Center for Career Development, supports students and young alumni in the D.C. area spending their summers living out Princeton's informal motto: "Princeton in the nation's service and the service of humanity." I had the unique opportunity to serve as the student coordinator for PIW this summer.

PIW runs throughout June and July, offering Princetonians in Washington, D.C. unique opportunities to connect with alumni in government and policy, technology, law, nonprofit, journalism and more. As a part of PIW, participants are able to meet high-profile alumni at the top of their fields, learn more about various career paths and make meaningful connections not only with alumni, but also other students. Attending alumni panel discussions, visiting some of the most renowned institutions for change and participating in casual social events — all of these things gave us, Princeton students and young alumni in D.C., a chance to build our own community in the city over the summer and create new friendships.

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Some of the highlights of PIW 2023 include a visit to the Federal Reserve with Chair Jerome Powell '75, conversations with various members of Congress including Terri Sewell '86, Jeff Merkley *82, John Sarbanes '84, and Derek Kilmer '96, a roundtable discussion with General Mark Milley '80 at the Pentagon, and a tour of the ESPN studios with investigative reporter Tisha Thompson '99. Through these events, participants were able to ask questions, hear about the speakers’ career paths and any advice they may have, and connect with them to expand their network. 

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As the student coordinator, it was an honor to be able to design these programs and offer a series of events for the summer to help other Princeton students in their career paths. Behind the scenes, I reached out to alumni and coordinated events and logistics, created content to promote programs, and communicated with the PIW community — all of which helped improve my organizational and interpersonal skills. Also, invaluably, I had the privilege to attend every event as PIW coordinator, which deepened my interests in the fields of public and international policy.

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My biggest takeaway from PIW is that there is not one set path, one set answer, or a correct major, internship, or fellowship to pursue. Many of the alumni who we looked up to during these events for inspiration, did not have a complete idea of their careers from the beginning. Instead, it was trying new things that allowed them to succeed. We, as college students, often face constant pressure to have everything figured out and have our career path mapped out to minute details to be successful, so it was relieving to hear this kind of advice from Princeton alumni, and this reassurance is one of the many takeaways from PIW, on top of the relationships built with not just the alumni but also with other Princeton students. 

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It was the best of times … it was the worst of times… it was Colombia. This summer I spent two months in Bogota, Colombia for my International Internship Program (IIP) with Sisma Mujer. Colombia caught me by surprise because I fell in love with the country instantly. The fast-paced motorcycles but the steady working environment, the cold air but the beaming sun. There were numerous reasons for me to fall in love but I can’t seem to settle on one. Every day felt like a new adventure, whether it be navigating the wobbly sidewalks or taking day trips to cities like Guatavita, Villa de Leyva and Fosca. The days seemed to fly by until I noticed I only had a few days left before I would have to say goodbye. For that reason, I’d like to do a bit of a highlight reel, sharing some of my favorite moments in Colombia. 

Guatavita 

Joining me in Bogota were six other Princeton students with different IIP’s. From Politics majors to Architecture and MAE (Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering), we were all there for different reasons. During our time in Colombia, we were connected with a provider service called Intern Colombia and we were able to take several trips to surrounding cities. Guatavita was our first trip as a group and it had a six a.m. call time. All of us were sleeping on the ride over but the hike up made everyone’s energy pick up. We ended the day with a quick boat ride, one of us even got to steer the wheel! 

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Villa de Levya

Jugo de mango is arguably one of the best drinks I’ve had. If a restaurant or coffee shop had it, I would order it instantly. Villa de Levya was memorable for many reasons but it was also my first time going horseback riding. I think I was the most intimidated out of the group, mainly because my horse decided to go rogue but I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

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Fosca

The waterfalls at Fosca truly humbled me. They were breathtaking but also the path to get to them was filled with countless slips. By the time I got to the first waterfall, my leggings were stained with mud, my shoes completely destroyed and I was tired of slipping on nothing. My clumsiness decided to star front and center that day but I didn’t allow it to affect my hike up. I was notably exhausted but the views made everything worth it and the people I walked with also made it that much better. 

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Cali

Our first solo trip without Intern Colombia consisted of an hour-long plane ride to the beautiful city of Cali, Colombia. We visited the Cali Zoo alongside a rocky river and tasted some of the most interesting flavors of ice cream like yogurt with oregano and chicharron. Cali was such a unique city, it was a totally different vibe from Bogota and not just because of the heat but also its calm charm. 

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In the end, the worst of times wasn’t the few mishaps we had along the way but having to say goodbye to a place I called home for two months. I’m so grateful for having this opportunity thanks to the Office of International Programs (OIP) and I'm ready to add more memories like these to my time at Princeton (stay tuned for Denmark 2024!).

I just came back from Puerto Rico, where I gave a talk on my junior paper at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Photovoltaic Specialists Conference. It was an incredible experience, and I learned a lot about both the field of solar photovoltaics and the history and culture of Puerto Rico. Here are the steps I took to arrange the trip, as well as the wonderful Princeton people who made it possible (a special thank you to Dr. Barry Rand, Dr. Sigurd Wagner, and Moira Selinka of Princeton's Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment).

Step 1: Find the right conference

How do you choose a suitable conference for your work? The best person to ask is usually your advisor, who is familiar with the scope of different conferences. I asked Drs. Rand and Wagner, my project advisors, and the one that immediately came to mind for them was the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference. Given that my project is about the adoption of rooftop solar panels in the U.S., this sounded like a perfect fit.

Step 2: Write and submit your abstract

To submit to a conference, you usually have to write an abstract or extended abstract on your findings. For this conference, they asked for a 3-page extended abstract. Be aware of deadlines, as they are usually far in advance of the conference itself. For PVSC, the abstract was due in January while the conference was in June.

Step 3: Find funding and make travel arrangements

I heard back that my abstract was accepted for a poster presentation in mid-March, and I applied through for funding through the Student Activities Funding Engine (SAFE) to head to Puerto Rico.

Step 4: Create and print your poster

I designed my poster, and I sent an email to Print Services to have it printed. (I found out later, though, that students can print two free posters per month in the Engineering Library. Now I know.)

Step 5: Learn that you won't actually need your poster

Two weeks before the conference, I found out that my abstract was selected for an oral presentation instead! I put together a set of Powerpoint slides, which I presented to Professors Rand and Wagner. They helped me revise and refine my presentation so that I felt well-prepared to deliver my talk.

Step 6: Travel, arrive, and check-in

Come mid-June, it was time to fly to Puerto Rico! I arrived late Monday night, and Tuesday morning I went to the convention center to familiarize myself with the presentation room and equipment before my session.

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Step 7: Present!

My presentation was the last one scheduled for my session, so I listened to several other presentations before it was time for mine. It was interesting to hear about related solar research. I was slightly nervous before my talk, but I think it went well. The audience seemed engaged, and they asked questions that showed that had followed along and absorbed the key points.

Step 8: Explore the surrounding area

After the conference, I explored the island. I visited the citadel, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, and the only tropical rainforest in the U.S., El Yunque. I also saw incredible flora and fauna, like a three-foot iguana that crossed the sidewalk while I was out for a run.

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Step 9: Submit receipts 

When I got back home, I submitted the receipts of my various expenses for the conference (flight, airport taxi, registration fee) in order to be reimbursed.

Step 10: Reflect

Stepping outside the Orange Bubble and contiguous U.S. immersed me in a completely different culture. I learned about solar research from scholars in other states and countries, and I explored the landscape and history of a place to which I had never been, which gave me a more global perspective on both research and lifestyle culture. The experience was truly amazing, and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity.

You might have heard that seniors at Princeton have to write a (dundundunnn!) thesis before we graduate, and to some that can seem like an overwhelming prospect; crafting a culminating piece of original work is no small feat! But I’m here to tell you that, thanks to Princeton’s incredible support, it’s really not as scary as it sounds. And the process can even be – dare I say it – fun! 

This summer, I spent seven weeks in Irvine, California studying the impact of wildfire on large mammal community ecology for my thesis in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB). Due to the COVID pandemic, I hadn’t yet been able to do ecological field work, so diving into it for the first time was exciting. I loved being able to apply the theoretical concepts I had learned in my EEB classes on campus to the dynamic, real-world landscape I found myself in. Being out in the field was incomparable – everywhere I looked there was something new to see and learn about. 

Seniors at Princeton can apply for funding to cover research (on- or off-campus) during the summer before their senior year. I received funding from the Office of Undergraduate Research, EEB Department, and High Meadows Environmental Institute. Thanks to their generosity, I was able to travel across the country to study something I’m interested in for my thesis, and didn’t have to worry about whether I could afford it. 

Living on my own far from the Orange Bubble was at first a bit overwhelming, but I was grateful for the support I found once I got there. Each senior at Princeton is matched with a faculty advisor before beginning their thesis work, and my advisor, one of the leading experts on wildlife conservation, connected me with the director of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, a nonprofit land management organization in Southern California where I did my research. Having that network of support was helpful and I knew that if I ever had a question on aspects of my research I had several people I could turn to. 

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As with any research project, I encountered obstacles while out in the field; malfunctioning cameras, waking up at 5am every day, and even an encounter with a rattlesnake! But it was all worth it when my data collection started and I began seeing footage of mountain lions and other elusive mammals, getting to think more deeply about their interactions and how human influences are changing the way that they relate with their habitat. It’s exciting to me that my research could possibly have larger implications for land management and wildlife protection as the climate changes, and this motivated me to continue despite the setbacks I faced. This is one of the reasons that, in my mind, the Princeton thesis is so special; you get the chance to take a topic that’s excited you academically during your time here and bring it to the next level, contributing your own original research to the field. 

My experience this summer was one I won’t forget, and I’ll take with me everything I learned as I venture into the field of ecology going forward. Though being back on campus this fall had me missing the sunny California weather, I’m (actually) excited to dive into analyzing my data and finishing writing my thesis. The senior thesis truly is the capstone of your college experience here, and I’m grateful that Princeton has given me this opportunity for learning and discovery. 

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