NYU Global Equity Fellowship

Hi everyone! I’m Lauren, and I’m a sophomore at Steinhardt studying Applied Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Some of the topics I’m interested in are mental health advocacy, forensic psychology, and behavioral economics. I was born in Seoul, South Korea, but was raised across numerous different places across Asia before attending NYU. Growing up while always being on the move, the constant uprooting and resettling helped me realize the importance of feeling connected to a home within a community. My goal as the GEF in Accra is to help create an environment that promotes diversity and inclusion and allows students to discover their global identities in their semester-long home. During my free time I’m either snacking while binge-watching Netflix or reading the latest mystery/thriller book on my shelf. 

Hi everyone! My name is Stephanie and I will be the GEF for NYU Berlin! I was born and raised in New York––specifically the Bronx. Currently, I am a junior majoring in Urban Design and Architecture. My upbringing in the city has influenced my ideas regarding urbanism and gentrification, as well as fostering my passion for my major.

During my free time, I usually like to work on one of my many unfinished crochet projects, paint, and read.

While in Berlin I hope to explore how the city has been able to promote social mobility. Additionally, I am looking forward to seeing the ways in which its approaches to urbanism have evolved over the past century. As the GEF for Berlin, I also hope that I’ll be able to create a safe and accessible environment that promotes diversity and inclusion

Hi, my name is Montse (she/her). I’m a junior at CAS studying Journalism and Comparative Literature.

I was born in Texas by the Mexican border, but have lived in New York City for 10 years. Being Mexican and Puerto Rican, I’m excited to be at NYU Buenos Aires as I’ve always been interested in cultural ‘bridges’ and exploring similarities and differences within the communities I exist in and the ones I want to learn more about.

I’ve previously studied at NYU Paris and NYU Accra. My experiences have allowed me to gain a more global perspective on IDBEA – which will only expand. I love hearing people’s stories and I’m excited to meet everyone. Always feel free to reach out

Hi everyone!!! My name is Emily Muniz and I am a rising sophomore and MLK Scholar with an (intended) major in Political Science and minor in Psychology. I was born on Long Island and have lived in New York all my life. Growing up on Long Island, however, came with its own set of challenges. Despite the fact that all Long Island municipalities share the same coasts and shoreline, economic discrepancies between towns fostered damaging prejudices and stereotypes based on racism, misogyny, and classism.

As a result of growing up in this atmosphere and experiencing these problems as a Hispanic woman, I developed a strong desire to fight for those who have been victimized by these damaging, incorrect notions. My goal is to promote an environment where everyone can feel safe and comfortable in their own skin. As a Global Equity Fellow, I vow to do everything in my power to cultivate this atmosphere for everyone. After all, the combination of our unique and diverse experiences and identities will only serve to enrich our education and contribute to the betterment of our world.

In fact, I'm currently working on a research project in Michigan that aims to help underfunded schools receive more resources, advancing educational justice while also emphasizing how much our academic system benefits from the diversity that comes with such equity.

Lastly, I cannot fully express my excitement to be able to study abroad in Florence this fall. I look forward to meeting everyone, and to making new friends & memories! :)

Hello, everyone. My name is Hermela and I’m a sophomore pursuing a major in International relations and a minor in comparative literature. I was born in the United States but I grew up in Ethiopia until I moved to New York city for university.

I am excited to pursue my interests at my study away site, specifically about the colonial history between Italy and my own country, Ethiopia. I want to do research on the relationship between Italy and the African continent, and how that relationship continues to manifest in the present day. As a Global Equity Fellow, I hope to create an environment where all students feel a sense of belonging at their study away site. I want to enrich the campus by creating a space for conversations about identity and belonging.

Hello hello! My name is Arya, and I’m a junior at NYU Abu Dhabi double majoring in Legal Studies and Political Science. I was born in India, but I grew up in the Middle East; my multicultural upbringing has often sent me on an expedition to discover commonalities and overlaps between seemingly distant cultures, leading me to study away at NYU London! 

I am beyond excited to study abroad in London this fall and experience all the city has to offer (this will be my first time experiencing the Fall season, which has gotten me even more excited!) 

I am especially interested in migrant rights and the intersections of law and policy, which is driven by my experience as a migrant growing up in countries where the legal system is clearly segregated for migrants and citizens. In my free time, I love thrifting, going on picnics, and trying out underground restaurants.

My goal as GEF is to make sure no one feels like they are being discriminated against because of their identity, and instead feels a sense of belonging, support, and safety. I hope I can help students gain the most out of their study away experience, and create memories that last them a lifetime!

Hello, my name is MaryJane. I also go by MJ. I’m a senior at CAS majoring in psychology, premed and minoring in CAMS. I was born in Nigeria and at a young age, moved to Georgia where I grew up and have spent most of my life. I’m passionate about mental health advocacy, particularly among children and adolescents/young adults. Through my role as a Global Equity Fellow, I aim to promote the values of inclusion, diversity, belonging, equity, and accessibility. These principles form the cornerstone of an enriching and holistic cross-cultural experience, and it is my goal to make sure, to the best of my ability, that every facet of your time in London reflects these ideals.

I also love everything food-related: cooking, eating, trying out new things to cook/eat! I also enjoy listening to music. I'm a fan of a wide range of genres and artists and one of my favorite things is discovering a new song or artist to obsess over. Music and food are two important ways to connect with others and learn from others and their cultures, that’s why I’m really excited to get to engage with new faces and places. As one of your Global Equity Fellows, I am committed to supporting you in every way possible and ensuring that your experience is one that leaves an indelible mark on your life. I look forward to working with you all and I am excited for the semester to come!

Hi I’m Annika :D I’m a senior at NYU Gallatin concentrating in Multimedia Storytelling and States of Consciousness. My degree encapsulates the intersection of psychology and philosophy with film and multimedia art. Diversity and inclusion are major considerations in my work, both academically and artistically, since identity is at the root of artistic expression and inseparable from conscious experience. Recurring topics in my work include disability, queer experience, and mental health. My interest in IDBEA and my commitment to the GEF position stem from my upbringing, raised in an immigrant single parent household in a conservative tristate suburb. My cross-cultural childhood, and the litany of multicultural kids I’ve befriended through common experience, motivate my commitment to advance IDBEA during my time at NYU and throughout my filmmaking career.

My name is Arianna and I’m a rising Junior in Steinhardt. I’m majoring in Music Business and minoring in Studio Art and Law & Society. As you can probably tell by my choice of major, I’m a big concert and art museum fan. I love what it can and has taught me about foreign cultures and community building. I’m also very interested in the intersectionality between one’s freedom of expression and the legal systems that create boundaries around that expression. My post-grad hope is to attend law school.

Before I knew it was called IDBEA, I became very interested in it. I grew up and lived in Puerto Rico my whole life. My high school was not a very tolerant space, which sparked a need in me to get involved in spaces regarding LGBTQ+ rights and mental health. Later, I moved to New York City for college, where I encountered many more culture shocks and instances of marginalization. Having to adapt to a different country/city was a slow process; even more so, considering the immense diversity of people that live there. However, I feel now I’ve expanded my worldview and found the tools to help others adapt as well. I want to share these tools with as many people as I possibly can, so I invite you all to reach out to me whenever. Can’t wait to meet you!

Fun facts: I was a gymnast for 12 years, played soccer, and ran track. I love the outdoors, animals, and traveling (obviously). I’m a huge adrenaline junkie, have 2 older brothers, and three dogs. :)

Hello! My name is Annika Santos, and I’m a junior studying Economics and International Relations in CAS. As a Filipino-American, I grew up with a deep appreciation for my heritage and an even deeper love for my family. The Philippines is my second home. I have always found diversity and cultural difference to be beautiful, and with my experience as an international fencer, representing the Philippine National Team since I was 14, I have discovered that diversity is more than just beautiful, it is valuable for promoting productivity and creativity, especially now in our interconnected world. As I study abroad in Madrid this fall, I want to research the long term effects of Spanish colonization, particularly the effects visible in Madrid itself. 

Hello! 

My name is Aarna and I am a rising junior in Global Liberal Studies studying abroad in Paris for the 2023-24 academic year. I have been passionate about social and political justice since moving to the US from India for high school. Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Equity and Accessibility is crucial to my intersectional perspective on social justice. In the past year, I have been focusing on reproductive justice and women's rights, and hope to expand my expertise and interests in Paris. As a Gallatin Global Human Rights Fellow, I spent last summer in Belgium working on refugee rights issues, and I hope to continue thinking of issues of IDBEA within migrant and refugee demographics in French society. 

My name is Marisa Sandoval and I am a sophomore. I am studying Journalism and Politics on a pre-law track. I grew up in Nevada but spent a lot of my childhood traveling! In my free time, I love to do yoga, cook, read, write, shop, spend time with friends, and go on walks. I’m thrilled to be in Prague and am completing an internship at the Institute of Documentary Film while I am here.

Hello! My name is Sylvia Chang and I’m currently studying away in Sydney. As a senior studying Global Public Health and Food Studies, I’ve had the opportunity to learn so much more about the health inequities in our society and their role in changing lives. This has ultimately inspired me to take steps in confronting the challenges that come with social injustices.  

My interest in IDBEA has been cultivated throughout my time at NYU and I especially want to provide an encouraging and inclusive study away experience for NYU Sydney students. 

I’m grateful for my role as a GEF as it enables me to be active in leading engagement amongst my peers and creating a positive environment for everyone to feel comfortable in. I’m really looking forward to learning through this role! 

Hey guys! My name is Lucy Rapfogel (she/her/hers) and I am a Junior studying Global Liberal Studies and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies with minors in Hebrew and Judaic Studies and Public Policy and Management. I had the privilege of starting my time at NYU in London through the First Year Away program and I am super excited to spend another year abroad at NYU Tel Aviv. I was born in China and grew up in the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina with significant time spent in rural communities in India and France. These experiences have given me a unique cultural perspective and increased adaptability that I hope to leverage to make myself and my peers feel comfortable and at home at NYU Tel Aviv. In my free time, you can find me reading at a new cafe or studying by the beach!

Hey guys! My name is Ruo (pronounced either roo or ru-ah), and I’m excited to be your GEF this semester! A little about me; I’m a junior and a social work and politics double major, with a concentration in American politics and currently on the pre-law track. My areas of interest include Sino-US relations, AAPI immigration rights, and disability advocacy.

Growing up in the embassy zone of Beijing, I have always been interested in international affairs and cross-cultural communication. Moving first to Canada, then to New York, I have been privileged to interact with and learn from many different diverse groups and communities. I hope that I can learn about each of your lived experiences during our time together. Ultimately, as a community, I have faith that we can build an inclusive and welcoming campus atmosphere.

Beyond my academic pursuits, I enjoy a good board game and you can always catch me around the DC campus reading on my Kindle. Otherwise, find me listening to 2000s EDM in my dorm, or prowling the newest gallery opening on lazy Sunday afternoons