Spotlight: Spring 2021 Learning Life Interns
Learning Life’s student interns this spring 2021 are, among other things, helping to recruit Family Diplomats and Family Diplomacy Ambassadors for our Family Diplomacy Initiative (FDI), conducting research and planning for grant applications and our fall fundraising event, building the invitation list for our Democracy Dinners, developing a guide to intercultural communication, and more. We are very grateful for our spring interns’ vital and dedicated work.
TENILLE ARCHIE
Year, major, and school: I am a final year Master’s student at The Centre for Cultural Diplomacy Studies that works in collaboration with the Hochschule Furtwangen University in Germany, where I study International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy.
Hobbies: I enjoy learning, listening, observing, interacting, and reading about people from diverse ethnicities, cultures, geographical backgrounds, and exceptionalities. My other hobbies include writing short stories and storytelling.
Career aspirations: I consider myself a student of the world, but I would feel most accomplished to make a significant contribution in academia in the study of social change.
Why Learning Life? Family is the first institution and yet it is not given the attention and priority it deserves given the power and influence it holds. Whilst most countries do have some initiative focused on the family, oftentimes, some families are not given adequate attention. Learning Life’s heartbeat is lower to middle-class families; it gives these families a platform and an opportunity to use their voice to share their stories, experiences, culture, and concerns. What makes this initiative even more fascinating is the cultural collaboration which to me always makes me look forward to our meetings.
ELLEN DEGERMAN
Year, major, and school: I am a senior at the University of California, Irvine where I double major in anthropology and international studies with a focus in East Asia.
Hobbies: I love any excuse to go outside and enjoy nature: stargazing, having a picnic, taking a brisk walk, or hiking with friends. My photography skills have improved within the last year as I find creative ways to capture beauty in the mundane and in nature. I also love watching archaeology documentaries, crafting beaded bracelets, studying Mandarin Chinese, and singing Disney songs in different languages (mostly in Chinese).
Career aspirations: I am particularly interested in how the operations of educational administrations impact student motivation and academic aspirations. After taking a gap-year, I plan to pursue a doctorate program in education to study these themes and make contributions to academia. I would like to identify and overcome obstacles to students’ success, inspire students to explore the world around them, and give students the tools to take personal initiative in their academic journey.
Why Learning Life? I joined the Learning Life intern team because I value opportunities to learn different perspectives and engage in cross-cultural communication. In an increasingly globalized world, it is important to understand how actions in one location impact populations in another location. I am honored to be a member of this international team promoting dialogue and understanding between families.
DAISY GONZALEZ
Year, major and school: I am currently an undergraduate senior at the University of California, Riverside studying public policy and education with a concentration in community leadership, policy, and social justice.
Hobbies: During the pandemic, I picked up a few hobbies like journaling and painting, which have provided me some time throughout the day to reflect and be creative. I also started working out and actually lost 25 pounds since the pandemic started!
Career aspirations: I’ve always been interested in learning about education reform and the critical action needed to ensure educational equity and achievement. I hope to pursue a career in education policy to uplift the narratives of underrepresented students and advocate for a more equitable, supportive, and empowering learning experience, specifically for marginalized students living in low-income communities.
Why Learning Life? I wanted to join Learning Life because I was inspired by the innovative approaches and mission to reimagine learning outside of the classroom. I was interested in further understanding how we can create learning communities worldwide, to engage everyday people and help them develop their own agency.
ARISA OSHIRO
Year, major and school: I’m currently a senior at the University of California-Davis majoring in International Relations with a concentration in peace and security, and minoring in Human Rights.
Hobbies: I love outdoor activities. I often go hiking with my friends to enjoy nature and take pictures. During the pandemic, I especially enjoy going on long walks and stargazing. Recently, I started exchanging languages with a fellow intern, Rossella, by teaching her Japanese and learning Italian in return.
Career aspirations: My experience working abroad has led me to pursue work in nonprofit international organizations. I’m particularly interested in helping refugees and immigrants. In the long run, I hope to create films that will amplify the voices of vulnerable and underrepresented communities.
Why Learning Life? I interned with Learning Life because I resonated with its focus to create a more interconnected world. I wanted to be a part of the Family Diplomacy Initiative to engage in conversations that highlight prominent issues and encourage a deeper understanding of others, especially given our divided world.
ESTRELLA PALLIS-BONADURER
Year, major and school: I will be a freshman in the fall, attending Georgetown University in Washington D.C. I plan on majoring in international politics with a minor in Spanish.
Hobbies: I love hiking, swimming, biking, canoeing, camping- pretty much anything outside! I also love to read. A favorite book of mine is ‘Interpreter of Maladies’ by Jhumpa Lahiri. My mom and I bake a lot together (we make amazing lemon-ginger scones) so that’s something else I really enjoy.
Career aspirations: As of right now, my career aspirations are pretty vague. Being a Foreign Service Officer would be incredible, or perhaps working with an NGO (non-governmental organization) that provides some type of humanitarian aid. Anything under the international relations umbrella would appeal to me!
Why Learning Life? I was drawn to Learning Life because of its innovative approach to intercultural understanding and lifelong learning. As a student, enjoyable and engaging learning is extremely important to me. Learning Life’s format is accessible to people of all demographics, which diversifies the pool of participants and creates an enriching experience for all involved. Learning Life recognizes that progress towards a more peaceful and connected world begins with the individual, and works to empower each participant to become a better global citizen.
ROSSELLA VULCANO
Year, major, and school: I have a Bachelor’s degree in Languages, Culture, and Translation. Now I am completing the last semester of a Master of Arts in International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy at the The Centre for Cultural Diplomacy Studies affiliated with Hochschule Furtwangen University in Germany.
Hobbies: I like to go out jogging or walk in the big park next to my home; read novels in different languages such as English, German and Dutch; learn new languages; listen to rock music; and play most kinds of sport.
Career aspirations: I am interested in working as a professional diplomat or in the diplomatic field.
Why Learning Life? I wanted to participate in Learning Life’s initiatives because I share its values. I believe in educating civil society to a more tolerant and democratic vision of the world, and fostering long-term peace and mutual respect. I also like that I am getting first-hand experience organizing citizen diplomacy projects, and I get to know people from all over the world.