I went to high school at CHS, which was a pretty big transition after 9 years at Peabody. I got involved with the music scene – jazz band, concert band, marching band – as well as cross country, and I was captain of the tennis team my senior year. My advice for Peabody students starting high school is that it can feel like everyone already knows each other, but they really don’t. Just be friendly to people and join clubs or sports that you enjoy. That’s what helped me find my friends, build my confidence, and have a lot of fun. By the end of high school, I was at CHS 8 am-7 pm many days, and I loved it.
After high school, I knew I wanted a small liberal arts college. I hadn’t heard much about the University of Richmond, but after visiting the campus and receiving a merit scholarship, I decided to attend. I started college in 2020, so our orientation was over Zoom, and with social distancing, it was really hard to meet people. But the summer after my first year, I did a summer study abroad program led by one of my professors. I spent three weeks in Copenhagen and met many other students from different parts of campus. It was a great experience, and I realized I had to put myself out there like I did in high school – finding the activities and clubs that I enjoyed. So, I joined the jazz band, the club volleyball team, and the Sophomore Scholars in Residence program. Academically, I focused on what I was most interested in, including math and French, two subjects that I’d enjoyed ever since my time at Peabody.
I had loved my experience abroad in Copenhagen, so my sophomore year, I studied abroad again, first in France through an intensive language program, then a full semester in Prague studying political science and history. I came back to U of R and got involved with their political science journal and interned at Senator Mark Warner’s office in Richmond. I graduated with a triple major in political science, mathematics, and French.
After college, I knew I wanted to try to spend more time abroad. I was awarded a Boren Scholarship through the U.S. Department of Defense to spend a year abroad learning a language that’s considered critical to national security. Last year, I was part of the first Boren cohort going to Vietnam. Our group began language studies together in America and then lived with host families in Hanoi, studying at Vietnam National University. After four months, we then continued our studies as individual scholars in Ho Chi Minh City. Over 10 months, I learned Vietnamese from scratch!. But after learning French since I was 5 years old (I still remember Madame Meyer teaching us how to say “crocodile!” in kindergarten), my brain was already trained for language learning. I never doubted I could learn to communicate in Vietnamese.
This year, I’m working as a Fellow at the University of Richmond’s Center for Global Engagement. I help our international students adjust to life in the U.S. and coordinate our newsletter and special events. Ultimately, I’m preparing for a career in international relations or foreign service.
My biggest advice for Peabody students is to find what you enjoy and pursue it. It will keep you engaged and happy at the same time!. And while at Peabody, really try to enjoy that you’re in such a supportive community. Your teachers care about you, and you can always ask for help… this may not always be true in your life. And keep in touch with your classmates after graduation! Some of my closest friends are still my Peabody friends.
My foundation at Peabody really gave me confidence in my own intellectual abilities. Growing up at Peabody, the lesson was “this is hard, but we’re going to learn it!” Since, I’ve never felt there was a class I couldn’t take or something new I couldn’t learn. Thanks to Peabody, I’ve always loved school and learning, and I’m already looking forward to grad school.