My Journey as a Poly Global Scholar

Taiwan Dinner with Host Families

My journey toward understanding and engaging with global issues began not in a classroom or on a news site—but in my own living room, sitting across from my grandfather. His stories about surviving the Chinese Cultural Revolution and immigrating to America gave me my first real sense of the world’s complexities and the resilience of the human spirit.

I didn’t know at first what being a Global Scholar meant. I thought it might just involve studying international topics or writing a research paper. But as the months passed, I realized it was so much more. It meant looking at the world with compassion and curiosity. It meant being open to stories that weren’t my own, and asking deeper questions about injustice, inequality, and culture. It meant listening—and then doing something with what I heard.

My desire to understand culture on a deeper level eventually led me to Taiwan through Poly’s Global Initiatives Program (GIP). Over several days, I lived with a host family, ate night market snacks like sweet potato balls, went shrimping, and visited sites like the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. Knowing that my great-grandparents had once lived in Taiwan added emotional depth to the experience, especially when walking the same streets or viewing historic artifacts I’d only heard about through family stories.

The most meaningful part of the trip was reuniting with the Taiwanese exchange student I had previously hosted in California. That full-circle moment made me appreciate the power of human connection and cultural exchange. I’ve also had the privilege of hosting students from Italy and Japan, and those experiences have taught me that global understanding often begins at home through hospitality, laughter, and shared meals.

Inside the classroom, the Global Scholars Program challenged me intellectually and emotionally. I gained new perspectives on global inequality, climate change, and human rights through discussions and speaker events. I began to see the connections between historical injustices and the world we live in now, and I wanted to act.

That desire led me to create my capstone project on human trafficking and sexual assault, two issues that are both urgent and under-discussed, especially among people our age. My original plan was to launch an art therapy program for youth survivors, but when scheduling barriers made that impossible, I pivoted and built StandUpspeakOutEndHumanTrafficking, a website dedicated to advocacy, education, and supporting survivors. It became a platform where I could share what I’d learned, reflect on survivor narratives, and help others understand how to get involved.

I presented my project to peers and fellow Global Scholars on May 13, 2025. It was a proud and humbling moment. Even though my first idea didn’t go as planned, I realized that impact isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence.

Being a Global Scholar has transformed how I think, act, and engage with the world. It

taught me that global awareness doesn’t require a passport—it starts with empathy and grows through action. Whether hosting a student, visiting Taiwan, or building a website to amplify survivor voices, I’ve learned that every story matters, and listening is the first step toward change.

My grandfather, now 100 years old, once feared losing everything. But he ended up designing the Apollo landing gear and achieving the dream he once thought was out of reach. His journey has shaped mine. As I move forward, I carry his resilience with me—not just as a legacy but as a reminder of what’s possible.

This program has helped me find my voice. Thank you to Mr. Caragher, who has always supported and guided me, and to Dr. Anderson and all my peers who believed in me and my work. You didn’t just prepare us for college—you helped prepare us for life. Thank you for trusting that young people can lead with courage and empathy when given the tools and encouragement.

As I continue my journey through college, I feel like I’m becoming increasingly aware of the world I live in—not just as a bystander but as someone ready to engage, advocate, and lead.