"I've always been interested in the way Japan's colonial past has continued to impact its relations with countries such as China and Korea. East Asia is such a dynamic and important region, and I wanted to expand my view of the region by studying Chinese in college, since I already had significant experience in Japan. By conducting ethnographic fieldwork in Taiwan with my Chinese professor, interning at the US Consulate in Osaka, and studying abroad in Shanghai, I took every opportunity I could to live, work, and learn in Asia, even as a student from a small school in Minnesota. At Georgetown, I hope to increase my understanding of the history and politics of East Asian countries and to develop hard skills such as data analysis that will help me for a future in public service."

Concentration: Politics and Security

Hometown: Duluth, GA

Academic Background: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Chinese, St. Olaf College