I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. I have two older sisters. Not only am I the youngest of my immediate family, I am also the youngest cousin on both my mom and dad’s side of the family. This led to my family nickname, “baby B”, but despite my age, I would not call myself the baby but rather the curious child. I was not your typical youngest child, which everyone over protected and followed in his or her older siblings footsteps. I witnessed everything thing my sisters did from the time we were little. Without even realizing it, I was preparing myself for my own journeys. I knew I wanted to be different, I didn’t want to be the baby, I wanted to step out and create something for my own.
My sisters and I. Hilliary (age 26) is on the right and Nicole (age 23) on the left
Me at a young age
Growing up we used to take many road trips as a family in the summer across the United States. As the youngest, I found myself in the back seat of the car, just along for the ride. To pass the time in these trips I spent time gazing at the windswept countryside wondering what was out there, or played games with my sisters wondering how much longer until our destination. Never would I have thought that these long road trips would represent the path that has led me to the Global Social Benefit fellowship. My childhood included many “road trip” like moments that created a sense of curiosity and being along for the ride. I was inquisitive because I wanted to try everything my siblings were doing or be part of their activities. But with three girls in the family and my oldest sister 6 years older than me, I had to learn to accommodate and “hop in the back seat of the car.” To this day I still embrace a curious independency and flexibility.
Some of my cousins and I hiking in Colorado
This theme of wanting to be independent started from an early age. At age three as we were frantically leaving for a family vacation, the confident three year old I was, I decided to pack my own suitcase, which only consisted of cowboy boots and a ballerina tutu. Good thing my mom did not trust a trying to be independent toddler and had packed a few other items for me. In addition, the Colorado wilderness also sparked my independence. One of my favorite parts about growing up in Colorado was the never-ending opportunity to be in nature. I spent my summers in the mountains hiking and exploring nature and in the winter I was skiing or snowboarding. There was something about realizing the bigger picture of nature that shaped how I perceive opportunities. I was not afraid to try a new hiking trail or lead my sisters down the ski slope. I enjoyed having the challenge of immersing myself in something new. This perception continued to influence my college decision to leave Colorado and come to Santa Clara and my academic path as well.
Hiking in Colorado
I am currently studying political science with an emphasis in international relations and Arabic Islamic Middle Eastern studies. I have been interested in international relations from a young age because I was constantly wondering why are people the way they are, and what makes them act the way they do. I was interested in conflict and how people solved problems and I wanted to be involved. With my sisters, I always found myself as the mediator or the “peace-keeper” in silly sibling disputes. I was used to observing them growing up and admiring them so I could to see both sides of a conflict. This family relation developed a desire to study political science and international relations. In addition, I liked the idea of foreign affairs because loved learning about other cultures and languages. I was blessed to experience many different cultures through traveling growing up, which inspired my desire to learn about other cultures.
When I arrived at Santa Clara I was searching of how to apply politics, foreign affairs and conflict resolution together in my academic path. During freshman year I had one comparative politics class with a professor who specialized in the Middle East, and I instantly became intrigued in the region. Through more courses and research on the region I started to become more invested in the region, my class schedules each quarter started to become Middle Eastern focused that by the middle of my sophomore year, I decided I wanted to spend the summer there to truly embrace the region, the culture, and the language. I felt as if to truly learn Arabic or about Arab culture I had to be there.
Observing tradition Omani dress at a Mosque
Again my curiosity was driving me to spend a summer in an Islamic country I had barely heard of, studying a language I had never spoken, with people I had never met. Therefore I embarked on a journey to Oman for the summer. I knew it was my inquisitive nature that led me to Oman, but never was I so thankful for the lessons I had learned in my childhood. In Oman, I had to be flexible and adaptable because I was immersed in a new culture that I was like nothing I had ever experienced. I wanted to truly embrace the traditions of Oman that I participated in Ramadan, wore a tradition hijab (headscarf), and actively learned some Arabic. These experiences were not what I expected but it was a continuation of learning to ride in a long road trip exploring each stop along the way.
So as this “road trip” continues I am extremely grateful for every lesson I have learned from my family. They have supported my curious nature and helped develop my love for the world. I will continue to wonder what the future holds but excited for the unpredictable. The next stop of this lifelong road trip is Uganda.