Life After THINK Global School

After graduating, I moved with my amazing partner Soeun Kim (Class of 2020) to the other side of the country, and for the past two years I’ve been working full-time in microbiology labs at Brown University and Harvard Medical School. In the Fall of 2026, I will continue my quest to understand the lives of the trillions of bacteria that call our bodies home as I pursue my PhD in Biology at MIT.

When you reflect on your time at TGS, what has stayed with you the most, and how has it influenced the way you approach your work today?

When you visit the doctor with a bacterial infection, they may take a sample of your blood to learn more about the infection and what’s causing it. This process takes several days— the handful of bacterial cells present in the blood draw need to be left overnight to multiply into billions of cells that can be tested in clinical labs.

As a research assistant at Harvard Medical School, I work towards rapid infectious disease diagnostics, growing bacteria in tiny microfluidic devices and imaging them using microscopes. By extracting as much information as possible from this initial handful of bacterial cells, my research aims to drastically shorten the time between infection and effective treatment. I love this work because I can contribute to technology that could save lives, while learning more about the unseen world of microorganisms.

When you reflect on your time at TGS, what has stayed with you the most, and how has it influenced the way you approach your work today?

When I joined TGS in 2017, the transition to a project-based learning curriculum was in full swing. We learned along with staff and educators what it meant to be educated by the world around us, outside of the bounds of the traditional classroom. In practice this often meant learning how to fail upwards, expect the unexpected, and even occasionally making things up as we went along. Most importantly, we learned to ask and answer questions where the end of the story wasn’t written yet.

As a scientific researcher, my job is to push past the boundaries of existing knowledge, trying things no one has done before and drawing meaningful conclusions from the process of  experimentation. The boldness, initiative, and grit instilled by a TGS education have become some of my most useful tools for chipping away at the unknown and persevering in the face of uncertainty.

What piece of advice would you share with students and parents who are considering TGS?

A TGS education is an improbable, spectacular, surprising, and at times indescribable experience. Riding camels across the Sharqiya sands of Oman, or learning to surf in a Costa Rican beach town, it was hard to picture what my life after graduation might look like. If you’re considering a TGS education, here’s my advice: don’t worry too much about what happens afterwards, because TGS will turn you into exactly the type of person who will make the most of whatever challenges and opportunities come your way.

On a personal level, I would say the student representation party I previously mentioned. Everyone in the organization was very motivated, and we were able to inspire a new lecturer position in the field of earth system science. A significant amount of funding to a sustainability committee also came about due to our work, which is now working on implementing many of our ideas. Being part of a student council, in general, was a very insightful experience and allowed me to better understand the university’s logistical and legal processes that go on behind the scenes.

Academically, it was very cool to work on a one-year research project where I investigated the effects of different weather conditions on highway traffic flow and the effectiveness of traffic management systems. Since the German Federal Highway Research Institute commissioned the project, I feel my research will eventually be used in a real-world context.

How do you feel your TGS education has benefited you in your science career?

I think two of the most beneficial skills that THINK Global School’s Changemaker Curriculum taught me are self-organization & motivation. These are essential for managing your time as a university student. Since I had already been in charge of my learning at TGS, the transition to university was much easier for me than for some of my peers with more traditional academic backgrounds.

As for science specifically, I think problem-solving and continuing to try a problem, even if it is hard, was something I had already gotten a glimpse of at TGS. With the projects, you constantly had to try and find new approaches to the question at hand, and this kind of creative thinking and persistence is definitely helpful in the scientific field.

Any advice you’d like to pass on to current and prospective TGS students?

For current students, I would definitely say don’t worry about “missing out” on the knowledge that is taught in more traditional programs or whether you will be prepared for higher education. I can tell you right now that you are. Just make the most of the opportunities at TGS, pursue everything that interests you, and most importantly, enjoy yourselves!

What have you been up to since graduation?

After graduating from TGS, I enrolled in an interdisciplinary Dual Degree program that took me from Paris to Vancouver. It was fascinating to experience different academic environments and cultures through university, and it allowed me to gradually transition out of my nomadic lifestyle with TGS. I earned a Bachelor’s in Economics from Sciences Po Paris and another Bachelor’s in International Relations and Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia (UBC). Over the years, I also worked on various research and marketing contracts for a tech startup, a museum, the Canadian government, and nonprofits. 

Now, I am settled in my role as a communications coordinator for the Pacific Salmon Foundation, a Vancouver-based science non-profit. I spend my 9-to-5 writing about fish and climate change in ways that resonate with the general public, and I love it! Besides my full-time role, I facilitate workshops on climate policy, storytelling, and civic literacy, and offer consulting services as a strategic communications advisor. 

While my work keeps me busy, I do my best to enjoy all that Vancouver has to offer. When I’m not hiking or island-hopping, you can often find me at a live show or ramen restaurant.

What has been the most gratifying project you’ve worked on since graduating?

These days, I’m focused on redefining the way we talk about climate change and uplifting young environmentalists. However, one of the most rewarding projects I’ve worked on since graduating was an art exhibit I built and managed at university, focused on 15 stories of sexual violence and the clothes my peers were wearing when it happened. Inspired by similar art shows around the world, it was called What Were You Wearing? 

To make it happen, I recruited volunteers, curated personal testimonies, collected over 50 pieces of clothing, and woke up at what can only be described as an ungodly hour to set up the exhibit. I also led partnerships with local associations to drive attendance. 

I was really happy with the turnout! I counted about 250 visitors on the first day, and the anonymous feedback I received was incredibly moving. I remember one person wrote, “I was wearing shorts and a blue shirt. This made me realize it wasn’t my fault.” I feel proud to have provided a space for reflection, education, and dialogue, contributing to a larger movement to combat gender-based violence.

How has a TGS education benefited you in your climate storytelling career?

While I’ve always been a driven and independent thinker, TGS taught me to question rigid, linear pathways and encouraged me to ask new, more expansive questions. 

For example, I wasn’t afraid to explore various study and career options — each one more different than the last — because I understood the value of testing things out and gathering a diverse set of experiences! I also wasn’t afraid of connecting with people from all walks of life, so I scheduled calls to learn more about the issues I was passionate about and build a supportive community around me in Vancouver. Through trial and error, I found my way to climate communications and storytelling, a field I’m both passionate about and skilled in, and one that feels especially relevant today. 

When I realized there weren’t many opportunities to explore this further, I took the initiative to pitch and develop my own seminar course called “Writing Climate Change”, which I ended up teaching for credit during my senior year at UBC. I leaned on many of my new connections to improve my syllabus and bring in guest speakers! This project strengthened my portfolio and helped me land my current role at an environmental non-profit. It’s also given me greater visibility and recognition as a young communications expert in the field.

Any advice you’d like to pass on to current and prospective TGS students?

My advice to TGS students is to find a balance between making the most of your time and not putting pressure on yourself to do, see, or be more than you can handle. I remember coming home every term and sleeping for days, realizing just how drained I was. At the same time, I always felt that time was slipping by too quickly.

It’s easy to get caught up in all the opportunities and experiences around you, but it’s just as important to take a step back and breathe. Focus on what truly matters to you, and don’t feel the need to check off every box! Leave your laptop behind whenever you can, be present with friends, and explore each host country in ways you might not be able to do once you start “adulting”.

What have you been up to since graduation?

After graduating from TGS, I went to New York University, where I received my BFA in Photography & Imaging. Following the pandemic’s onset, I returned to Cape Town, where I completed the last semester of my studies at home. Shortly after graduating, I began looking for photo-related jobs and spent some time assisting in Cape Town and New York. In September 2021, I decided to move to London to expand my connections and see what it’s like working in the creative industry in this city. I currently split my time between freelancing-doing photography jobs for commercial and editorial clients as well as working part-time as head of digital for a fine artist.

What has been the most gratifying project you’ve worked on since graduating?

During the lockdown, I sort of fell down a rabbit hole and began delving into the world of NFTs and web3. I was working at an archival organization at the time, and my boss encouraged me to look into how blockchain technology could be used to digitize photography collections and create a historical record for future generations.

As I began learning more about the utility of NFTs, I soon started to share my work via Twitter and learned more about the community. Since then, I have begun working with different DAOs (Decentralised Autonomous Organisations) and have had the opportunity to help curate shows in Dubai, Miami, and Chicago. This has definitely been the most fulfilling part of my work post-graduation, as it’s allowed me to cultivate my photographic practice further while learning more about how this new technology can be used to empower artists typically blocked from the traditional art market and establish creative autonomy as they build their careers.

How do you feel your TGS education has benefited you in your photography career?

Being surrounded by so many creative people at TGS definitely inspired me to follow my passion for photography. During my time with the school, I had my camera with me at least 80% of the time and tried my best to capture all of the experiences we were having during weXplores, day trips, etc.

Classes like New Media pushed me to cultivate a strong narrative, find themes within my artistic practice, and help me look at the world from all angles. In addition to photography, I honed my writing and critical thinking skills, allowing me to become an even better storyteller– a component that people often overlook within photography as a primarily visual medium. Ultimately, I think TGS showed me the value and equal importance of creativity and logic, which gave me the support and motivation to pursue photography full-time.

Any advice you’d like to pass on to current and prospective TGS students?

My one piece of advice would be to practice being present. It can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind that is TGS, but by the end of it, it can seem to have passed you in the blink of an eye. During your time, try to find ways to truly take in the experiences you are having, whether through keeping a journal, taking photos, or just finding moments of stillness throughout the day.

I’d considered studying law for a while and this was definitely supported by experiences at TGS such as talks with a NATO brigadier when living in Bosnia. I was interested in understanding more about institutions used to govern behavior on an international scale and knew that studying law would be a good foundation for it. Admittedly, since coming to university I’ve surprised myself with what areas of law I’ve found interesting. I’m looking to pursue an LLM in International Business Law and this is still accompanied by the desire to want to positively contribute to whatever environment I end up working in. I hope to navigate the corporate world and work on an international scale with this in mind.

What has been the most gratifying project you’ve worked on since graduating?

While working as a research consultant for Coram International, I got to help with the drafting of child protection regulations for Nigeria. Not only did I get to work with legal experts but it gave me real insight to the difficulties in setting and upholding legal standards that are viable on an international scale. Especially because I chose to gear my degree towards business law, being able to work within international development work reminded me of the importance of legal infrastructure.

Do you feel your experiences at THINK Global School prepared you for life post-graduation?

I definitely think my time at TGS helped prepare me for the experiences that I’ve had after. Probably more than I’ve even realised, TGS taught me the importance of communication and perseverance in all types of situations. I might have traded a host family in Costa Rica that only spoke Spanish for brokers at the Lloyd’s of London that interact only in insurance contracts, but I’ve found that I’m not uncomfortable in either situation. Nor am I hesitant in asking questions or voicing my thoughts to get the most out of an experience.

At university, I think TGS has helped make me a diligent student and I’m confident even in classes with a diverse group of people, each with an opinion louder than the last. I also have to note that as much as it seemed like a drag at the time, simple things that TGS expected us to do like laundry, groceries, cooking or budget tracking have come in useful. I’ve seen someone at university try to toast a bagel in a microwave.