"I am motivated by these three reasons: 1) I am born in Southeast Asia, 2) my pre-university experience studying about China, and 3) my observations about the rise of Asia politically and economically during my undergraduate years. While I still have a special affinity with Northeast Asia because of my undergraduate years, I hope to broaden my perspectives on South and Southeast Asia at Georgetown University and apply the knowledge and skills when I return back to the foreign service in Singapore. I am also seeking to hone my writing, both in academic and policy papers, at Georgetown. In the future, I aspire to foster greater cooperation between Singapore and other countries in the world no matter which ministry or public agency I get posted to. "

Concentration: Politics and Security

Hometown: Herndon, VA, USA

Academic Background: B.A. in East Asian Studies (Japanese Language & Culture), Oberlin College