NYU Global Equity Fellowship

Hello everyone! My name is Maame Adwoa Sey. I am a junior doing a dual degree of Global Public Health and Global Liberal studies with a concentration in politics, rights, and development (PRD). I was born and raised in Ghana before moving to Houston in 2013. I had to adjust to the culture of the States having moved at that age and felt I didn’t belonged at first. Meeting people with shared experiences and having a better understanding of the diverse cultures made my transition smoother. 

My freshman year, I studied abroad in London. I am thrilled to be studying abroad in Accra as I get to re-explore my country in a new light both academically and socially. In my role as GEF, I hope to create a space of inclusion and belonging for students to share their diverse backgrounds and experiences. 

I enjoy reading, dancing and trying new restaurants. I look forward to meeting everyone and creating new memories. Feel free to reach out! 

Hello everyone, I'm Raghav Dembla from Hisar, India. I'm currently a Junior studying Political Economy at NYU Shanghai and I would be the Global Equity Fellow for the NYU Berlin site. Having studied at campuses in New York, DC, and Shanghai, I look forward to immersing myself in the vibrant city life of Berlin. I have a passion for exploring different cities and understanding their dynamics from scratch.

I'm fluent in Hindi and English and consider myself an amateur in Mandarin, with ongoing efforts to learn German. Beyond language pursuits, my interests extend to geopolitics and law, and I've recently developed a keen interest in photography. In addition to these pursuits, I find joy in poetry and engaging in meaningful conversations. Feel free to reach out—I'm always eager to connect!

Hello! I’m Danielle (she/her), and I am a third-year Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar. I am from Los Angeles, California. My concentration is titled Cookbooks, Quilts, and Gardens: Measures of Culture and Society, with a minor in Studio Art. In Gallatin, I am studying culture by understanding how food, design, and the environment contribute to the ways we interact with culture daily. I’ve participated and facilitated dialogue within international communities, strengthening my conflict resolution skills. By being a Global Equity Fellow, I hope to prioritize, learn, and advocate for something larger than an individual, beginning with comprehensive, intentional conversations. With IDBEA, we can challenge conflict and lean into discomfort, pushing ourselves to grow. In my free time, I love gardening, going on walks, cooking and trying new foods, sewing, knitting, making art, or reading.

Hi everybody! My name is Valerie and I will be one of the GEFs for NYU Florence! I’m so excited to meet you all! I was born and raised in Rochester, NY. I’m currently studying Fashion and Art Curation in Gallatin with a minor in Integrated Design and Media in Tandon. 

Growing up Puerto Rican in a predominantly white area, I grew up feeling as if I needed to hide my culture. Ik know it can be hard to feel confident celebrating cultural differences while abroad and so I want to help other students feel secure in their identities during this semester. For my research, I want to focus on the influence that African art, fashion and culture has had on Florentine art and culture.

In my free time I love to dance, read, and draw! I also love watching movies and am currently binging Modern Family for the fifth time!”

Ciao everyone! I'm Annika, and you're welcome to call me by my Chinese last name, Wen. Originally from Wuhan, China, I'm thrilled to be one of the GEFs at NYU Florence! Currently, I’m a junior at NYU Shanghai studying Interactive Media Arts.

My passion for volunteering dates back to middle school, and as I grew more aware of the challenges faced by minorities, I became dedicated to promoting IDBEA. Given my major in IMA, I'm involved in photography and documentary work.Therefore, I'm excited about the prospect of using my camera to complete meaningful projects during my semester in Florence.

I'm eager to connect with everyone, make new friends, and create lasting memories! Looking forward to an enriching experience and the opportunity to contribute positively to a shared journey at NYU Florence :)

Hello everyone! My name is Muna and I will be the GEF for NYU London. Currently I am a sophomore majoring in economics and finance. I love photography which helps me document the mundane street life.

 I was born and raised in Ethiopia before coming to NYU Abu Dhabi. The diversified environment I grew up with helped me understand the importance of exposure and the opportunity to educate myself about different cultures. I love to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone is given equal opportunities.

At NYU London, while I bring my plate of Ethiopian experience to the table, I am excited to learn from as many students as I possibly can: discover, get culture shock and learn!

Hello! My name is Elena Garcia (she/her/hers) and I am a junior within the College of Arts and Science on the prelaw track with a concentration in English Literature and Social and Cultural Analysis. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, my Chicana heritage significantly shapes my commitment to reformative legislation and my passion for public interest law. Throughout my time as a student, I have engaged with my adjacent communities in Arizona, Texas, and New York through my nonprofit organization I founded to advance educational access and break down barriers for marginalized students. 

My experience working in the field of immigration law has been one of the greatest joys of my college career as it has given me the chance to work with clients from around the world. This is why I’m so excited to begin my time as a global equity fellow at NYU London, known as one of the largest cultural epicenters of the world. This opportunity allows me to immerse myself in a diverse and dynamic environment, broadening my perspective on global issues and expanding my commitment to promoting justice and inclusion. I am looking forward to leveraging this experience to deepen my understanding of the challenges faced by the growing population of Latino immigrants in the UK, with the ultimate goal of initiating endeavors that enhance their access to equity and resources.

Hello! I am a junior at Gallatin. My concentration is ‘Exploring How Entertainment Industries Market Latine Media’ and I am also pursuing a minor in Social Entrepreneurship. I am generally curious about how intentional companies are when executing plans for inclusivity and positive social impact. 

The reason I chose Los Angeles as my study away site is because it’s a place I’ve never been to and I consider it to be a different type of melting pot for Latino culture in comparison to NYC, my hometown. By the end of my semester, I hope to have a well-rounded idea of the past of Los Angeles and discover local artists along the way. 

Hello! My name is Ekene, and I'm a junior majoring in MCC, with a minor in BEMT and Spanish at NYU. Professionally, I hope to seek a career in entertainment, helping TV networks and movie studios alike usher new stories that can bring Black voices to the forefront. I served as an eboard member of the Stern-Tisch Entertainment Business Association, write for the Washington Square News on occasion, and I'm an active member of the African Students Union at NYU. Outside of work and school, I love to dress up, eat at cool new food spots, watch anime, and listen to alternative R&B! In Madrid, I hope to achieve greater fluency in Spanish, host fun and engaging events, and meet some new travel buddies! Come say hi sometime! I don't bite. You can follow me on Instagram @ekeneinsta, or email her at euo204@nyu.edu.

Hi everyone! My name is Gianna and I am one of the Spring 2024 Global Equity Fellows for Madrid! I am a junior Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar at CAS studying sociology and public health with the intent of pursuing a career in sexual/reproductive health and social work. I am from Northern Virginia - just outside of Washington DC! Growing up there, I bore witness to a myriad of issues, notably health inequities, houselessness, food insecurity, and poverty, all of which predominantly affected Black and Brown populations. This led me to develop a passion for public health and health equity, and, in turn, a drive to help improve the health of Black and Brown people across this country and the world.

As a Global Equity Fellow and a person of color myself, I intend to put this passion into practice by ensuring that all students, especially minority populations, feel heard and at home during their time at their international site. Whether it be needing an advocate at a doctor's appointment, experiencing incidents of racism, or simply feeling lonely in a predominantly-White country such as Spain, I will do my very best to address these issues with compassion and empathy and connect students with resources that can help make their international experience more positive.

So if you ever need anything, even just a chat, don't be afraid to reach out to me! My favorite television shows are Our Flag Means Death, Good Omens, and What We Do In The Shadows. I love crocheting, cooking, theater, and shopping, as well as fishing if I get the opportunity. So don't be a stranger! I'm here to make your international experience the best it can be!

Hi! I'm Kavya (she/her), a third-year student pursuing a dual degree in Global Public Health & Media, Culture Communications, with a minor in music. My academic journey is a deliberate exploration of the intersections between diverse concepts, reflecting my commitment to understanding nuanced perspectives. Growing up Indian-American has instilled in me a profound belief that the effectiveness of any intervention or policy hinges on inclusivity and consideration of diverse viewpoints. I place a significant emphasis on integrating the principles of Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Equity, and Accessibility into my perspectives on human rights, social justice, global conflicts, and public health. Currently, in my second semester abroad, I bring an understanding of the complexities associated with navigating diverse cultural landscapes. My enthusiasm for this role stems from a genuine passion for promoting diversity and cultural exchange. This cultural humility is instrumental in fostering an inclusive atmosphere and promoting a sense of belonging among students from various backgrounds. In my free time, you'll find me indulging in yoga, reading, and taking pottery classes.

Hello! My name is Kaya and I am a junior studying French and International Relations at CAS. Although I’ve lived most of my life in Manhattan, I was very lucky to have spent a semester in Prague when I was a sophomore before coming to Paris this time around.

I have been studying the French language and francophone culture at NYU for almost three years now, so I have had lots of different insights into what I should expect during my time here in France. At the end of the day, though, I am navigating Parisian daily life for the first time just like the rest of my peers.

Over the course of the next few months, I really hope to become a resource here on campus for anyone who might need me. Living in a new place is never easy by any means, but I just hope that we all come from this experience having learned a lot and enjoyed ourselves a little!

Hi! I’m Dafne, born and raised in Houston, Texas. I’m a junior at Stern studying Business and Political Economy with an Anthropology minor. 

Travelling has always been something I’ve wanted to do and I can happily say that I’ve been doing just that. I previously studied at NYU London & NYU Madrid and have visited/lived in 8 countries, the Czech Republic being the 9th! As a first-generation Latina finding my way in very different countries, I wish to create a safe space for everyone at NYU Prague as your Global Equity Fellow. It can be hard finding a home away from home, but I am here to make the transition easier and comfortable.

I’m excited to be at NYU Prague as I continue growing my international experience and global understanding as a woman of color. I look forward to meeting you all! Here’s to a great semester!!

Hello, my name is Alyssa Minor. I am Sophomore at NYU Tisch studying Cinema with a double minor in Producing and Astronomy. Alongside my studies, I enjoy baking, listening to music and reading.

My upbringing in Buenos Aires and attendance at an international high school sparked a profound interest in themes of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. While studying in Sydney, I am excited to dive deeper in exploring Australia's unique approaches to multiculturalism and IDBEA. 

My goal as Global Equity Fellow is to delve into these concepts while fostering an inclusive and accessible environment that centers around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion!

Hello everyone! My name is Cyndel, and I’m excited to be your Global Equity Fellow this semester. I’m a junior studying Environmental Studies with a minor in Social Policy. I’m interested in environmental policies and their intersections with social issues in diverse communities.

My goal at GEF is to help everyone feel accepted and confident in their identity. I hope to foster a sense of belonging and acceptance throughout the semester. I want to organize events that will help everyone in the community engage with one another and learn about each other differences. I hope to hear from everyone about how I can help create inclusivity at our study away site in Washington, DC.

My hobbies are listening to music and reading, amongst other things. Don’t be afraid to say hi when you see me around!