The Politics Junior Paper (JP) is a 20-30 page project that juniors in the Politics Department must submit near the end of April. It is largely open-ended, giving students the opportunity to pursue research on topics that fascinate them. Students work closely with an advisor and can run experiments, analyze data, or do something entirely novel.

I’m currently working alongside the (truly) wonderful Professor Stephens-Dougan in the Politics Department to look into what role race plays in shaping voter perception of electoral candidates. My junior paper will be a springboard for my senior thesis, which will dive into the realm of identity politics more comprehensively. 

I imagine several students, both current and prospective, are wondering what starting the process of writing your own paper looks like and what type of support systems are in place. 

Below, I’ve written a few reflections on what starting this process has looked like for me, where I am now, and what I have learned along the way:

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Like most research projects, mine began as a simple idea.

After completing several readings for a related class, I became deeply curious about how identity and politics intersect in different ways. I knew I wanted to take what I had learned in the classroom and turn it into something tangible.

The rest of the experience has been a blur — during sophomore and junior fall, I took a mix of required lectures and preceptorials that taught me how to conduct research and data analysis. By the end of my junior fall, I was expected to formally articulate my research question, methodology, independent variable, dependent variable, and hypothesis in a “prospectus,” which helped me solicit feedback and accordingly adjust my research design. 

Then, shortly after receiving feedback, I worked with my advisor, former preceptors, and some PhD students — all of whom have been of the utmost help for my project — to go over my research design. 

Concurrently, I was also applying for funding from different sources at Princeton, which required submitting an itemized breakdown of how I planned to utilize such funds; And, since I was working with human subjects, I was also going through training with the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) and requesting approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) so I could launch my study. 

Since then, I’ve been able to conduct my experiment. And now, I am in the final stages of refining my draft before I submit the final copy.

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In undertaking this experience, I have truly witnessed how research can be deeply rewarding — especially when the topic at hand is something you are deeply passionately about. 

But admittedly, there are days where I fear I have fallen short of what I had hoped to achieve. Sometimes I wonder if what I am doing is interesting enough, if it's different. 

However, if there is anything I have learned, it is how to take a step back and remember the bigger picture: research at Princeton is a once in a lifetime opportunity, where I am able to work with some of the greatest minds on this campus to make a contribution, no matter how small, to the wealth of human knowledge.

Princeton is often collectively referred to as the Orange Bubble — a colloquial term for the cozy, safe, and tiny Princeton neighborhood. Our campus is not always as bustling as our neighboring schools in the city, and although I always feel quite fond of our homey Orange Bubble, sometimes, the Princeton community can feel too small. We, as students, tend to frequent the same local businesses and sites until we've exhausted them; we often see the same people. Thus, our little community can sometime feel a bit stifling — especially in the middle of high-stakes semesters. However, the thing that no one really tells you is that there is indeed a world beyond the Orange Bubble. And that world is always available to you.

Over the last two academic years, I've devoted myself to exploring opportunities outside the Orange Bubble. This was apparent last fall when my friends and I visited Drexel University in Philadelphia for their annual "Nollywood" party. This party celebrates Nigerian cultural heritage and brings together Nigerian students from schools across the tri-state area. This was one of my first times attending a social event outside of the Princeton ecosystem. I got to visit my cousins who attend Drexel and even made new Nigerian friends who were enthusiastic about collaborating with Princeton's many affinity groups. It reminded me that my community is not just limited to Princeton — there are so many nearby academic institutions and like-minded students at my fingertips.

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In addition to visiting other local universities, I often enjoy trips to New York City to see art shows. The Lewis Center for the Arts — Princeton's center for most arts-related academics — frequently provides a bounty of free opportunities to see theatrical performances in the city. This has always been highly beneficial to me, given that theater is one of my greatest passions at Princeton. Most excitingly, I saw a preview show of Princeton alum Brandon Jacob-Jenkins's play Appropriate last winter. One of my professors designed the show's lighting and was thrilled to host us in the city. It was a truly amazing night of theater. Sitting with my theater friends, watching a work made by someone once in our shoes, was a surreal experience.

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Most recently, Princeton's Office of Undergraduate Research helped fund an opportunity for my friends and me to attend Howard University's 2025 African Indigenous Knowledge and Languages International Conference. This was a conference my peers and I had longed to attend, given our academic interests in African Studies and indigenous African languages. Howard University is known as a large hub for this kind of research, so participating in this event was a dream come true. After a three-hour Amtrak ride, we found ourselves in the middle of D.C., forming unforgettable memories. Since D.C. is my hometown, I could take my friends to some of the sites and spaces I adored as a child. I also visited local family and friends — which provided a nice break from the mid-semester stress — while engaging in stimulating conversations during the various panels I attended at Howard. At the end of that weekend, I found myself full of gratitude for the opportunities Princeton provides for me to navigate my academic interests beyond the boundaries of our campus. I also felt immensely grateful to be able to share my hometown with my beloved Princeton friends.

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Princeton can feel small, but the world outside of it is big and the university offers many opportunities for students to explore the big world beyond our campus. I look forward to continuing to take advantage of these opportunities as I pursue my studies.

Touring with the Triangle Club was nothing short of an adventure. The Triangle Club is Princeton's oldest touring musical comedy group, in which students write, compose, and perform an original musical from scratch each year. This year’s show, Pageant Pending, debuted in McCarter Theatre during the fall semester, and as tradition holds, we took it on the road before returning for the spring semester. Over the course of our journey, we brought our show to audiences in Washington, D.C., Charlotte, Atlanta, Nashville, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and Millburn, experiencing the thrill of performing in new spaces while also immersing ourselves in cities I had never explored before.

As a member of the pit orchestra, I quickly learned the art of adaptation. Every venue posed a new challenge—sometimes we played on stage, other times we were fully backstage, and occasionally we were in an entirely separate room, relying on monitors and headsets to stay in sync with the performers. It was exhilarating to adjust on the fly, knowing that each night would bring a slightly different performance experience.

Beyond the music, what made this tour truly unforgettable was the camaraderie. Spending time with people from all sides of Triangle—cast, crew, pit, and tech—allowed me to form friendships I never would have made otherwise. Whether we were unloading and reloading the truck with all of our sets, costumes, and equipment before and after every show, or simply passing time on the bus, the teamwork and support among us made the long days fun and exciting.

Another highlight of the tour was staying with Princeton alumni overnight in different cities. Not only did it provide a great opportunity to connect with past Tigers and hear about their experiences, but it also brought our group closer together as we shared stories and late-night conversations in unfamiliar yet welcoming homes.

Of course, no tour is without its challenges. One particularly memorable moment was being stuck in traffic for three hours—a test of patience that turned into an impromptu bonding session filled with music, snacks, and ridiculous conversations. And speaking of snacks, the discovery of Buc-ee’s was a game-changer. I had heard about the legendary Texas-based travel stop before, but stepping inside for the first time was like entering a world of endless road trip fuel, from brisket sandwiches to walls of snacks and souvenirs.

This tour wasn’t just about performing; it was about experiencing new places, overcoming unexpected obstacles, and forging friendships that will last far beyond our final curtain call. From the excitement of stepping onto a new stage each night to the simple joy of exploring a new city with friends, the Triangle Club tour was an experience I’ll always cherish.

“When is the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago. The second-best time is today.” - Chinese proverb

When I first heard this proverb from one of my friends at Princeton, I understood the meaning, but I did not realize the meaning until much later. This summer, I interned for a venture capital firm in Tulsa, OK. I found Atento Capital through one of the Center for Career Development’s career fairs, and I decided to take a chance. My last blog talks about the value of taking a chance on a small city, so I won’t repeat myself here. What I will do, however, is talk about one of the biggest lessons I learned: the time to startup is now.

Being that Atento’s investment range is pre-seed and seed stage startup companies, I was exposed to the early life of many startups. From firsthand experience, I can say that it is a tough journey starting out. The venture capital world relies on a power rule in order to make money. For example, a firm may hear from thousands of companies, whittle it down to being interested in one hundred, and then investing in ten. Of those ten companies, half will fail, two or three will break even, one may slightly exceed the investment, and one may be a ‘home run’ which yields significant returns. It is a super volatile industry.

In the pivotal moments of a startup's early life, managing money is super important. Having time to deliver on a plan is the second battle, or in other words, managing what is called burn/runway. This is essentially how much time you have left before you run out of money in the bank. There are a variety of factors that influence this, which can become complicated to manage. Failure to do so oftentimes results in the end of the company or the need to raise more capital and lose ownership. This is why the time to make a startup is in college.

There are numerous benefits to starting a startup while in college. First off, The risk of failure is insignificant compared to the consequences if taken outside of college. While you are in school, the worst thing that can happen is your startup fails, you have more freetime on campus, and you learn a few lessons along the way. Perhaps an oversimplification, but while in college, you are in a protected bubble of opportunity. The present talent at school serves as a base to launch a project that can turn into something amazing. What other time will you be surrounded by hundreds of bright individuals within arms reach? On top of this, the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Princeton (and other schools) is very strong. The support is unmatched.

Additionally, pitch competitions often give non dilutive funding/grants to groups who perform the best - this is not something that happens outside of college; if someone gives you money, they expect returns. The worst part of raising funds for your startup is giving part of your business away, so why not take advantage of opportunities where that does not happen. In short, the best time to take a risk on a good idea and found a startup is in the nest of opportunity known as college! Facebook was founded twenty years ago at Harvard, the next ‘Facebook’ startup will be founded today, at Princeton. It's time to startup! 

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Ever since my first year at Princeton, I knew I wanted to study abroad. I wasn’t entirely sure where it would be, but I was certain it would be a significant part of my Princeton experience. Hearing upperclassmen talk about their semesters in Oxford, Australia, Spain, or Kenya filled me with excitement and a touch of apprehension. While the idea of studying abroad thrilled me, the unknown aspects were intimidating. What would it be like to leave campus for an entire semester? How much financial support would I receive? How would I make friends in a foreign place?

Part of my anxiety stemmed from overthinking, but deeper down, I worried about how my identity would be perceived abroad. At Princeton, I had access to incredible resources that supported First-Generation Low-Income (FGLI) students, like the Emma Bloomberg Center and Latine students through the Carl A. Fields Center. These spaces offered me comfort and community and I was unsure if I would find similar support systems while abroad. 

Financial Aid

My first introduction to the DIS - Study Abroad Scandinavia (Copenhagen) program came during a meeting with the Scholars Institute Fellows Program (SIFP). A mentor shared their experiences in Copenhagen, Denmark, making it sound like an experience everyone should have. Inspired, I immediately researched the program and soon scheduled a meeting with Jordan, a study abroad advisor. Jordan was exceptionally helpful, addressing all my concerns about studying abroad. One significant issue was covering up-front expenses, such as the flight and enrollment deposit, before receiving my Princeton grant. I couldn't afford these costs, but Jordan worked with the financial aid office to arrange an early release of funds, allowing me to purchase my ticket. This kind of support was invaluable and I’m deeply grateful for Jordan’s help throughout this process.

Budgeting

Once I arrived in Copenhagen, budgeting became a priority. Known for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, Copenhagen presented a financial challenge right from the start. The program provided a grocery card, but I initially made the mistake of shopping at pricier stores. I soon learned that Netto was the go-to market for budget-friendly groceries. Adjusting to the city's 25% sales tax and identifying the best places to shop and eat took some time, but I eventually found my way. Additionally, my program provided a transportation card covering two zones, which allowed me to explore different parts of the city. Despite the initial price shock, I gradually adapted to life in Copenhagen.

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Making Friends

One of my biggest concerns was finding people to connect with. The thought of being completely alone in a new country was daunting. Fortunately, I quickly met an amazing group of friends. These were the people I cooked with, traveled with and shared countless memorable moments. Even now, a month after our program ended, we still keep in touch. Making these new friends was one of the best parts of studying abroad. The DIS program attracts students from various universities across the U.S., and while some brought hundreds from their schools, Princeton had only five students, none of whom I knew beforehand. This pushed me to create new connections and build my community. I started a baking club and frequently hosted gatherings in my apartment, which helped me get to know people and form lasting friendships.

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Enjoying a New Experience

People often romanticize studying abroad and for good reason—it's one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. However, the worries and apprehensions that come with leaving the familiar are valid. It’s important not to let these feelings prevent you from seizing new opportunities, exploring new places and discovering new aspects of yourself. Studying abroad taught me so much and deepened my appreciation for everything I have at Princeton. The most important thing to remember is that no matter where you go, Princeton will always be there for you when you return.

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There are so many ways to go abroad during your time at Princeton, including international internships such as the International Internship Program or Internships in Global Health, Global Seminars (Princeton classes taught by Princeton faculty abroad), summer language courses, or applying for funding for an internship, course of study, or research trip of your own design. I had the opportunity to travel to Toronto over fall break of my sophomore year with Canada Club, spend my junior fall studying abroad at ETH Zürich in Switzerland (which you can read more about here), and travel to Kenya through the Global Health Program. I could never have imagined being able to go on fully-funded trips in three continents before attending Princeton and am so grateful for the resources and support provided by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (ODUS) and the Office of International Programs.

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I had the extra special opportunity to feel at home during my semester abroad when I visited my high school, UWC Robert Bosch College in Germany, and caught up with my teachers and host family. I also had the privilege of spending the holidays with the families of some of my closest high school friends in southern Switzerland and northern Germany.

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In January, it was off to Kenya! I was lucky enough to be selected in a random draw for students in the Global Health & Health Policy minor who were interested in a trip to Kenya to learn about global health research and initiatives on the ground. We spent the first half of the trip in the capital, Nairobi, where we spoke with UNICEF staff and visited the US Embassy (and met Meg Whitman ‘77, the US ambassador to Kenya and donor of Whitman College). 

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The most impactful activity for me was visiting Mathare, the second largest informal settlement in Kenya, and hearing the passion the young people there have for improving their community. One adolescent girl shared the story of seeing children playing in an area used as a garbage dump and taking the initiative to clean it up and turn it into a park. Many of the people we spoke with are Community Health Workers, people chosen by their community who are responsible for making home visits to 200 homes in their neighborhood, providing basic medical care and referring people to higher levels of care when necessary. I think we should consider using similar community-based models in North America, where many people have limited access to affordable primary care.

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The second half of the trip we spent at Mpala Research Centre, about five hours north of Nairobi by car, where we learned about some of the impressive ecological and health research being conducted and got a taste of fieldwork. My group drove around looking for Grevy’s zebras, which we learned have rounded, Mickey Mouse-like ears unlike plains zebras which have pointed ears. Once we spotted some, we waited for them to poop so we could collect the dung for the Princeton Zebra Project, which studies the endangered zebras’ diets and parasites. 

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My favorite experiences from the second half of the trip were hearing from the Beyond Zero Mobile Health Clinic, which sets up temporary clinics across Laikipia County and provides services ranging from reproductive health to specialist care, and visiting Daraja Academy, which provides girls who might not otherwise have been able to finish high school the chance to pursue postsecondary education. I was so inspired by the student who gave us a tour and how enthusiastic and committed she and her classmates are to using their lives to make a positive impact.

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My semester abroad and trip to Kenya will remain some of my most memorable experiences from my time at Princeton. I hope you will all consider studying abroad, taking a class which involves travel, or pursuing an internship abroad! If you need any more convincing, I encourage you to take a look at the winners of the annual International Eye Photo Contest. As always, feel free to reach out to the email in my bio if you have any questions!

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Last semester (Fall 2023), I had the privilege of studying abroad at ETH Zürich in Switzerland. My experience exceeded my expectations in so many ways, and it’s hard to understate my gratitude for Princeton’s support in making this long-time dream a reality. Attending a United World College, an international boarding school, in Freiburg, Germany for Grade 11 and 12 gave me a taste of how enriching being abroad and making friends from across the globe can be, so I kept an eye out for opportunities to study abroad when applying to college. 

During my first year at Princeton, I researched the study abroad options available to students in Molecular Biology and Neuroscience, the concentrations I was most interested in. ETH Zürich drew my attention because I was interested in returning to the region to travel (which COVID had prevented during high school), experiencing the immersive laboratory courses, and practicing my German. I met with students who had studied abroad at ETH, exchange students from ETH at Princeton, and a study abroad adviser at the Office of International Programs, all of whom were eager to share their insight and answer my questions. The application process was straightforward and easy to navigate, and around this time last year, I found out I would be at ETH in the fall!

After a busy summer of cancer research followed by a lovely month at home, I seemed to suddenly find myself in Switzerland. I arrived on a Sunday, and I wasn’t quite prepared for how disoriented I felt. On my way from the airport to the apartment, I was quickly reminded of the fact that most stores, including grocery stores, are closed on Sundays. I received my key to the apartment and then sat on the bed and stared at the wall, wondering what I had gotten myself into. Had I made the right choice to leave the comforts and convenience of Princeton?

With some luck, I managed to get to campus and find my classroom for my first pre-semester German class the following morning, and slowly, with the help of other exchange students and ETH students, I learned how to navigate the public transit system, save money on groceries, and sort my recycling in a country where even paper and cardboard go into separate bins.

Academically, ETH was quite different from Princeton. I took two German classes, one ethics lecture (which counted toward Princeton’s Ethical Thought and Moral Values distribution requirement and my minor in Global Health and Health Policy), three biology lectures, and two biology labs. The lectures met once a week for about 90 minutes, which was our only chance to interact with the professors. Grades for lectures were based entirely on the final exam, which took place between late January and early February. Not having homework or midterms freed up a lot of time in the evening and on the weekend. I enjoyed cooking and reading for pleasure, things which I was rarely able to do during previous semesters at Princeton. Each lab course took place during one of four 3.5-week blocks. The labs met Tuesday afternoon, and all day Wednesday to Friday. I took two labs, meaning that for half the semester, I only had my Monday and Tuesday morning lectures. This schedule, combined with not having assessments during the semester, gave me the opportunity to travel to over 20 different cities in 10 countries. I was able to visit my high school friends and teachers, meet a friend from Princeton in Paris, host friends from Princeton and my hometown, and explore new cities with one of the other Princeton students studying abroad at ETH. Looking back, these trips were definitely what I remember most from the semester. 

The semester also brought its share of challenges. The lack of office hours and precepts made it harder to access professors and made me feel more anonymous than I did in the large classes I have taken at Princeton. Without the motivation of problem sets and exams, I found myself pushing off reviewing for my finals until the few weeks before my exams, which also happened to overlap with the start of Princeton’s spring semester. I was able to take my abroad course finals on campus at Princeton, but this meant doubling up on studying while the new semester was underway. Socially, it could be difficult to make friends and feel integrated into the school as an exchange student, although I was lucky enough to become friends with a few of my classmates and a student I met on a social run. One thing I particularly struggled with was the short days and almost constantly gray skies in November. I was in my second lab course during this time, which meant I barely saw any daylight, then proceeded to spend my evenings alone in my room without much to do. All in all though, I enjoyed experiencing a very different educational system and observing which parts of it I appreciated. I’ve noticed upon coming back to Princeton that I’m prioritizing work-life balance more than before, making the time to exercise, cook in my co-op, 2D, and attend fun events with friends on the weekend like basketball games and movies sponsored by the Undergraduate Student Government, Davis International Center, and various clubs on campus.

Whether you’re a prospective student curious about studying abroad or a current student wondering whether it’s right for you, I highly encourage you to consider it! I have learned so much about life beyond my own experiences, become much more independent and adventurous (not to mention adept at planning trips), and returned to Princeton with excitement and a fresh set of eyes. What has surprised me most has been how many people I recognize walking from place to place and how easy it is to grab a meal with someone to catch up, both of which make me grateful for Princeton’s small student population and campus-centered student life. I would be more than happy to share more about my experience or answer any questions at the email listed in my bio! 

Princeton’s five-week winter break permits students to relax and spend time with their family but also engage in fun and enriching activities if they choose. The Princeternship program run by the Center for Career Development is one option, and it showcases the power of Princeton’s incredible alumni network. The program aims to support career exploration and build connections by placing current students with alumni hosts. The “Princeterns” may shadow the hosts at their workplace for several days or assist with a few projects over the course of a several weeks, and students can receive a stipend to cover travel and accommodations. During my first year, I had the opportunity to learn about pediatric clinical and anatomical pathology with Dr. Alice Werner through a virtual Princeternship. Fellow blogger Melissa wrote about her experience as a Princetern at the New York Office of Mental Health, and I wanted to add another perspective from my second Princeternship and share just how grateful I am for the program. Last January, a student from the Class of 2024 and I were lucky enough to shadow Dr. Shetal Shah (Class of 1996) and Dr. Melanie Leong (Class of 2006), neonatologists at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, New York. Neonatology is the care of newborns, especially premature infants. We shadowed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for four days and were able to observe and participate in a wide range of activities ranging from morning rounds to touring the hospital’s groundbreaking donor milk bank for premature infants.

In fact, I may not have been able to participate in the Princeternship program if I had not pushed myself to complete and submit an application on the last day. Knowing that I would be going on a trip to Toronto sponsored by Canadian Club and the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students, I had intended to complete my application before fall break, but unfortunately I pushed it off and found myself writing it in the hotel room; however, the outcome was more than worth it! This is an encouragement to apply to opportunities that you are really excited by, even if the deadline is soon or you don’t think you’ll be accepted.

After spending some cherished time with my family, I was excited to head to Valhalla, NY. On our first day, we met Dr. Shah in the stunning lobby of the hospital which featured a walk-through aquarium, children’s art, and colorful holiday decorations.

In the morning, we attended the Perinatal Conference, during which a neonatology fellow (a doctor who has completed their pediatrics residency and is now receiving further training in neonatology) gave an overview of recent admissions and several complex cases. The first thing that hit me was the sheer number of acronyms used. Dr. Shah later told us that neonatology, like all specialties, has a language of its own, and although we wouldn’t understand everything that we heard, he encouraged us to take in what we could and ask him and Dr. Leong questions afterward. I wrote down acronyms which I wanted to search up later, and over the course of the Princeternship, I learned what many of the most common acronyms meant. One which came up very frequently was the numbering system used to describe a mother’s gravidity and parity, meaning the number of times she has been pregnant and the number of pregnancies carried to a viable gestational age. For example, a G4P1202 mother has been pregnant four times, had one full-term pregnancy, two premature births, no abortions or miscarriages, and two live births. I also slowly became familiar with many of the health issues and procedures performed on premature infants, including patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a heart defect which normally closes within a few days in full-term babies, and jaundice, which is caused by a baby’s still-developing liver being unable to quickly break down bilirubin. Infants with jaundice were given phototherapy, meaning a blue light was placed over their isolette and they were placed on a blue light-emitting “bili blanket” to maximize the surface area of their skin exposed to the light. Dr. Shah explained that the blue light converts the bilirubin into another isomer which is water-soluble and thus the infants can get rid of bilirubin faster in their urine.

I noticed that this Princeternship tied in nicely with my first Princeternship with a pathologist, as this one provided the human side of the patients' stories and gave me a more complete picture of who makes up a healthcare team and how they collaboratively treat each patient. In my first Princeternship, I learned how Dr. Werner entered her notes on pathological samples into the electronic healthcare record system, and in this Princeternship, I saw how the team on the floor requested and used other doctors’ expertise to inform their treatment plan. 

Every morning, the other student and I went on rounds with the “red team” which consisted of an attending physician (a doctor with the highest level of training), a neonatology fellow, three resident physicians who were on their one-month rotation in the NICU, and a clinical dietitian. Because this team had the most residents, it was instructive for us to shadow them because the attending physician asked the residents questions pertaining to the cases and the residents and fellow frequently asked the attending for her advice on a certain condition or course of treatment. For each patient assigned to the team, we would walk to their isolette or bassinet, greet the parents if they were present, and the resident on the case would provide an update on the patient’s last 24 hours. Any changes to their treatment would be discussed and inputted as an order in the electronic record system, including the dietitian’s helpful advice on optimizing each baby’s feeds based on their age, weight change, and needs. The attending never failed to consult the nurses to ask if they had any concerns or additions to make to the day’s update. One thing that impressed me was the collaboration between members of the healthcare team: over the course of four days, the team consulted a pulmonologist, the pediatric surgery team, an ophthalmologist, and a radiologist to profit from their insight into a patient’s situation.

I am so grateful to the Center for Career Development and our alumni hosts for arranging this immersive opportunity and I hope to participate again next year!

One of the biggest highlights of my Princeton experience has been meeting and collaborating with Evelyn Howe '25. We met my sophomore year on the Civic Leadership Council for the Pace Center for Civic Engagement. We quickly bonded over our love of the club's focus on using design thinking principles to create sustainable and responsible social impact projects in the local Princeton community. We focused on Health and Hunger & Homelessness projects.

We both have high energy levels and quickly asked each other to get lunch in Whitman dining hall. On just our second lunch, Evey told me about her idea of exploring impact-oriented career paths through a broader channel such as a podcast. She thought I would be the perfect co-host to build this project together from the ground up. Fast forward to today, together we have built and are celebrating two years of our work on The Impact Agenda podcast! Princeton has been instrumental in it all, from finding mentors, financial support, and most importantly access to the incredibly welcoming Princeton alumni network, many of whom have been our most fantastic guests.

Kicking off the initial planning in February 2022 wasn't easy. We were both brand new to the podcast space and had to learn how to do everything from crafting a unique podcast mission statement, learning how to define and find target guests, figuring out the best podcast recording and editing platforms, and so much more. We had to scrap our first few episodes and start fresh because we realized we needed to invest significantly more time in building relationships with our guests before the official recording to obtain the highest quality episodes.

We gained our footing with Season 2 and are thrilled to have just released Season 3 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. We have built an incredible team containing two additional Princeton friends, Kendall Jeong '25 and Christina Wu '26, who spearhead our design and marketing efforts.

Evey and I agree that the best part of this project is learning how to build something new from scratch and engaging in conversation with the most innovative impact leaders globally across all disciplines. We're super grateful to the Princeton community for bringing us together, helping us develop our team, and creating the environment for our success. Evey and I have become lifelong friends - I was able to travel to Hong Kong for 10 days over winter break to enjoy Evey's hometown (and of course meet with potential podcast guests, such as a Hong Kong Olympic swimmer focused on mental health initiatives in HK). We can't wait to see where our podcast goes! 

Over winter break, I had the opportunity to travel with the Princeton Debate Panel (PDP), Princeton’s only competitive debating group, to Ho Chi Minh City to compete in the 2024 Worlds University Debating Championship (WUDC). Held annually, WUDC is the largest debate competition in the world, with around 300 teams competing from universities from all regions of the world including Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Having only ever traveled an hour maximum for my high school competitions, flying all the way to Vietnam was a big step up.

When I landed, I was driven on a bus by the tournament organizers to a hotel at the heart of the city. The first thing I did was treat myself to a delicious dinner with the team that included fresh prawn spring rolls accompanied by a savory peanut sauce, a refreshing coconut and herbal jelly drink, snails, pho, and other classic Vietnamese dishes. Whilst the dishes tasted great, they tasted even better because Princeton was able to fully subsidize all of our meals on our trip! 

After exploring the city for a few days, it was time to start the first of four days of the tournament. The format of the tournament was British Parliamentary, where there are four groups of two debaters per room, who all give 7 minute speeches on a topic they receive 15 minutes before the start of the round. Whilst PDP sent 7 teams to debate for this tournament, we also sent 4 judges – including me. The judge’s role is to listen to every speech and come to a decision with two other judges in the room on the ranking of the teams, and the speaking score that every debater gets. 

During the first few rounds, I was just a trainee judge, meaning I was not able to enter any rankings onto the online tabulation system. But, during my third round, I was promoted to a panelist, which meant that I could input rankings and have a bigger say in the final decision. During my last day, I was finally promoted to the chair, or the person that has to give an oral adjudication (defend their rankings to the competing teams), and the person that leads the discussion with their panelists/trainees. I was happy that I got to chair a round at my first ever worlds competition, and really enjoyed the opportunity to judge with famous debaters such as the previous winner of WUDC.

Overall, Princeton did very well, with two of our teams breaking into octofinals (getting into the top 32 teams of the entire tournament), and one of our debaters getting 5th best speaker in the world. PDP will be heading to Panama City next year for the 2025 WUDC, and I can’t wait to see how we will perform there.

After a week, the tournament ended, and some of the team decided to extend our stay in Vietnam by booking an Airbnb. During these last few days, we did some incredible things such as cafe hopping (Vietnamese egg coffee is a must!), going to Hai Di Lao hot pot, and going on a one day tour to the Mekong Delta River. During this tour, we got to enjoy some local fruit, honey, lunch, biked around one of the islands, went on a boat ride down the river, and got to talk to an awesome tour guide. 

Whilst I was a bit stressed before the competition about how I would perform as a judge, I was happy with how everything turned out. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to travel with PDP, and would love to emphasize the importance of taking advantage of every resource that Princeton has to offer – both within and outside the classroom!