Only later in life, I realized how much it impacted my educational and professional journey to be the first to study in my family. There was always this feeling that I actually didn’t belong in university environments. It felt like listening to a language I was not able to speak.
Yet, I was fortunate enough to have finished my studies in Braunschweig, Istanbul, and Uppsala after seven years of ups and downs. Afterwards I worked for years with the German Civil Peace Service and the German Development Agency partnering with university partners in the Philippines, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste.
I strongly believe that not growing up in an academic environment shaped my approach positively when working with lecturers and students alike. It made me more empathic towards students’ feelings and needs, particularly when they felt like they don’t belong.
I now want to use these experiences by supporting Filipino FirstGen students in having wonderful educational journeys in a system that is not always geared towards addressing the challenges they experience.
Currently I am living in Iloilo City with my partner and our two (unfortunately very vocal) cats.
I am always happy to meet other people who want to become active in the causes they believe in. If this project sounds exciting for you, too, or if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me.
Project FirstGen Philippines 