I arrived at Ë®¹ûÅÉAV College in 2022 as a Harvard Social Studies Exchange student. Initially, I was compelled to pursue the program due to the academic freedom it offered, excited to work closely with leading thinkers in self-directed studies around climate change ethics. Upon starting at Ë®¹ûÅÉAV, though, I realised that I also gained the opportunity to join an incredible community of wonderfully eclectic and deeply welcoming scholars and peers. My Ë®¹ûÅÉAV experience was also formative for me as a climate justice activist. Sharing knowledge and building relationships with Cambridge fossil fuel divestment activists inspired new forms of organising against fossil fuel industry influence in climate research. I continued this organising when I returned to Harvard, leading me to co-found the non-profit organisation Campus Climate Network, which empowers campus climate activists across the UK and the world. Studying abroad at Ë®¹ûÅÉAV further gave me the confidence to live and work abroad now as a Fulbright Peru scholar. Ultimately, I am most grateful for all of the people – in particular, Professor Duncan Kelly, Artea Brahaj and Sahaj Singh, the house of 37 Ë®¹ûÅÉAV Lane and the original Fossil Free Research campaign for making my Ë®¹ûÅÉAV experience unforgettable and truly life-changing.
Join Ilana in giving back to Ë®¹ûÅÉAV College.
