My inspiration in visiting St. Thomas comes from my own indigenous background with the Susu tribe of Guinea. As I see modern culture and Guinean tradition carry through in my own life through music, food, clothing, dance, and more, I wanted to visit and connect with another indigenous community close to the U.S.
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Spring Campus Visits bring together a myriad of emotions—marking the close of seniors’ college journeys as they prepare to graduate while also recognizing the completion of another successful academic year for all Scholars.
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At the heart of the Milken Scholars Program is a commitment to building a supportive community that evolves with Scholars at every stage of life. For many, that journey begins in their first year of college, when freshmen are paired with mentors who help guide their transition. More often than not, these relationships grow far beyond their initial purpose to become lasting friendships that shape the college experience and beyond.
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Morocco has always fascinated me. We often hear the classification “sub-Saharan Africa,” which has been political science’s nomenclature for “everything that is not North Africa.” As a Nigerian, growing up, I did not quite understand it - what was the reason we grouped North Africa as separate, when West, East, Central, and Southern Africa were lumped into one big category?
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St. Thomas is defined by the movement of people and capital through its turquoise harbors and narrow hillside roads. It may be seen in the hordes of cruise passengers arriving in Charlotte Amalie, as well as hotel personnel commuting from inland areas to beachside resorts. Tourism influences virtually every aspect of the island's economy.
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Fun Fact: Barcelona is frequently cited as the most touristed city in Europe. This reputation is well-earned, as the city boasts a wide selection of food, culture, and arts. Spending eight days here provided a valuable window to look past its Mediterranean charm and examine the city as a living laboratory of urban evolution. I went to glean how a city’s physical layout can divulge insights into its history, functionality, and cultural revolutions. In Barcelona, architecture does not simply house people; it molds perceptions and dictates the flow of life.
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I first became interested in Khalistan through real-life encounters with Sikh communities in California. At the annual Nagar Kirtan in Yuba City and later at a major Sikh event at the Los Angeles Convention Center in DTLA, I noticed clusters of people holding bright yellow flags emblazoned with the Khanda and sometimes the word Khalistan. Their energy was passionate, and I sensed the flags represented something deeply meaningful, more than just political slogans. I wanted to understand more about Sikh history, identity, and the origins of these symbols. I wanted to understand my history.
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China, Taiwan, Korea. I had been to each of these three places in the past and recently had the opportunity to revisit all of them within the span of two weeks. While eating my way through Guangzhou’s 荔湾区 (LiWan District), hiking in Taiwan’s 阿里山 (Alishan), and shopping in Seoul’s Myeondong-gil, I thought about how all three of these regions are constantly mentioned in our mainstream news because of the roles they play in global politics and economics. But while there, I saw how important it is to also remember the people on the ground.
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Conversations about finance in the U.S. rarely include systems that operate outside formal banks. In discussions within my community about money, one practice that consistently comes up is equb, a group-based rotating savings and credit system where members contribute and take turns receiving a payout.
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Historically, the flow of global capital and ambition was unidirectional in the 20th century. The United States was not just a country; the American Dream heralded a meritocracy for anyone seeking to build the future. However, that gravity has quickly shifted eastward.
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The opportunities to visit Asia with the Milken Scholar stipend have opened my eyes to new experiences and new perspectives. As I was preparing for my second Asia trip and the perspectives I would be learning about I was struck with an epiphany I had while in my first Asia trip.
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My research into postpartum support offered to women in South Korea started at the National Folk Museum of Korea located in Seoul within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace. I was particularly interested in the permanent exhibition on birth and early life rituals showing how Koreans have historically understood pregnancy, motherhood, infancy, and hope for a child’s future.
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