Humans once regarded Earth as a cosmological gift, endearingly Mother Earth, our nurturing source of life. Indigenous practices exemplified this love through sustainable farming, ritualistic respect, and reciprocal relationships with nature. Colonialism, our first attempt at globalization, bridged geological gaps but hijacked these indigenous cosmologies. Where Mother Nature saw one species united, colonial powers saw resources to exploit. This mindset has underscored social cultures, medicine, economics, and politics for generations, nearly erasing notions of respect and gratitude toward Earth. The world became connected by highways drenched in blood and stolen resources.
Our generation is decolonizing these structures and uprooting the poisonous mindset that emphasizes production over methods. The UN Sustainable Development Goals emulate this effort, reinstating beliefs of care and reciprocity with our planet; reconnecting the world with interlaced hands.
My study abroad is with the University of Edinburgh, where I plan to intern at the UN House Scotland on the Research Paper writing team that reviews SDG implementation efforts and results. I will infuse my perspective with a decolonized perspective, emphasizing environmental impacts, longevity, and the healing nature of these actions over efficiency alone.
I regularly attend the University of California, Davis, where sustainability is at the forefront of every initiative, as it is one of the leading agricultural and environmentally conscious schools in the United States. Taking these core values of biodiversity, sustainability, and environmental preservation into my travels with intentional transportation, opting for communal long-distance methods and walking or public transport for short distances, and making personal choices to support local places that promote sustainable practices.
This internship represents more than professional development; it’s my intentional commitment to reconnecting with Earth as our cosmological home. By working with the UN on sustainability research while embodying sustainable practices myself, I hope to contribute to this global shift towards a collectivist, global citizen mindset. I want to contribute to rewriting the globalization narrative with the interconnectedness that indigenous cosmologies remark. I intend my international placement to honor that wisdom, ensuring every choice I make abroad contributes to a cleaner environment and a more interconnected, sustainable world.
