The act of summing up my life story into one paper is a daunting, yet necessary step in delving into my personal framework and worldview. I’ll begin by exploring my upbringing a bit. I was born into this world with two people and lifelong friends: my triplet sisters Tristyn and Sydnee. Growing up with two sisters the same age instilled in me a great sense of community and love that has followed me throughout my entire life. The importance of sharing with and caring for loved ones is something that, as a triplet, came naturally to me. In addition to my triplet sisters, I also have both a younger and older sister. I also have a mother and father who are both incredibly giving and caring. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to experience living in such a large family because it has taught me how to care for others in the same way. Additionally, it has taught me the cultural importance of family and ethnicity. Some of the most impactful times that I’ve had have been during family reunions over a shared meal.
     I also experienced this same sentiment when I studied abroad during the summer of 2019. I traveled in a group of about 10 students to Albania, Greece, North Macedonia and Montenegro, all while learning about anthropology and human geography. It was one of the most impactful experiences of my life, and I learned so much about what it means to be interculturally connected. While in Albania, I spent a week staying with a host family in a small town called Libohova where I met new people and practiced speaking a language I had just learned about two weeks before. I was able to share some of my interests, such as writing poetry, making art and listening to music, with my host family, who in turn shared things they enjoyed with me. It truly taught me not only the importance of culture, but also how to share it with others. As a queer, black woman in an incredibly foreign land, it was very apparent how different I was in regards to those around me. However, even amidst these differences, I was able to learn and gain a sense of community. 
     Throughout my life I have learned a myriad of lessons about culture, identity, belonging and community, and through my various experiences and identities, I continue to learn and grow. I’m excited to continue learning about the lives of people all over the world, how we relate and and we are dissimilar. In continuing my education towards this trajectory, I hope to inspire and continue to be inspired by many people along the way.