I’m an international student from Yunnan, China, a place known for its incredible biodiversity, geological diversity, and cultural richness. Growing up in a loving family that shared my curiosity about the world, and surrounded by such a rich and diverse land, I was fascinated by the mysteries and beauty in everything around me. To me, they were all my “friends.” When I was a kid, I explored and experienced the world through encyclopedias.

As I grew up, I began to explore the world for myself. I drifted through the ocean with schools of fish, embraced the wind and snow upon the mountains, ran freely across open fields, wandered beneath the rainforest canopy alongside elephants, wove through the streets of modern cities, strolled through ancient cities rich in history and culture, and wandered through little towns like something out of a fairytale. My footsteps have carried me across 13 countries spanning Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Along those journeys, I have been incredibly grateful to meet different people, encounter different creatures and cultures, and experience different sides of the world. These experiences gave me the opportunity to learn about environmental issues and sparked my passion for sustainability. I participated in a biodiversity research project for COP15 and later helped develop and publish an SDG education training program for teachers. My family and I also founded a local community in my hometown focused on microplastic awareness and action. In 2025, our actions reduced 68 gallons of carbon emissions and 2,871 gallons of water.

However, from another perspective, as a city girl, I have also experienced how being disconnected from the environment around us and living a busy lifestyle can lead to misunderstanding, indifference, and even fear toward the Earth. This has made me very eager to give more people the opportunity to return to the nature that nurtured us, rediscover the original love between ourselves and the environment around us, rethink the way we live, and make changes together to create a better world. This is why I chose Environmental and Outdoor Education (OLR) as my major, where I can bring my passion for the world to more people.

As a member of the UMD community, I was eager to contribute to sustainability on campus and even in the city of Duluth, and that’s how I joined the Office of Sustainability. I hope I can help build a community that inspires students’ enthusiasm for sustainability, gives them opportunities to learn about it, creates a platform for students interested in sustainability to connect and practice together, and encourages students to contribute to sustainability by bringing their own strengths and academic fields to the table.