Welcome to Tufts! My name is Sonya, and I found my home here after living in Taipei, Hong Kong, and D.C. My time at Tufts has been nothing short of incredible. Through the Fletcher dual-degree program, I’ve studied alongside journalists and diplomats, led a funded research trip to Brazil, and recently completed a semester abroad at the University of Hong Kong. When I’m not studying in Tisch Library, you can find me serving as an Interfaith Ambassador with the Tufts Chaplaincy, investigating archives as a Gill Fellow, or brewing espresso at Kindlevan Cafe. I would love to share my passion for Tufts and show you what makes our community so special.

Hometown

Taipei, Taiwan

Major(s)

BA International Relations

Minor(s)

Graduate Certificate in Business (Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy)

Clubs, organizations & involvement

ALLIES (civil-military relations club) - Lead Researcher Tufts Chaplaincy - Interfaith Ambassador Asian American Peer Leadership Program - Mentor Association of Taiwanese Students at Tufts - Culinary Head Kindlevan Cafe - Barista International Club - Treasurer

Describe your college experience

As a freshman at George Washington University, I found D.C. to be isolating and campus life dissatisfying. While I valued D.C.'s professional landscape, I found myself longing for a more collaborative, tight-knit campus community. My transfer to Tufts University began an exciting chapter in my college experience—introducing me to new friends, opportunities, and a genuinely welcoming community. My integration was far smoother than my freshman year. I quickly found community through the expansive network of cultural clubs, particularly the Asian American Center and the Taiwanese Student Association. As an international relations student, I also actively engaged with ALLIES and Women in IR, and was accepted into the inaugural class of dual-degree students with the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. I appreciated the multidimensional way Tufts' International Relations program is structured, emphasizing identity, human rights, and peace instead of D.C.-style military and security. I found Tufts students to also embody these qualities. While each student carried diverse and unique interests, they all radiated kindness and compassion. Beyond the classroom, I have dedicated my time to fostering the same community that welcomed me. Through my roles as an Interfaith Ambassador at the Tufts Chaplaincy, Culinary Head of the Taiwanese Student Association, Treasurer of the International Club, and a Gill Fellow at the Center for Public History, I actively pursue my passions for culture and history, while celebrating Tuft's uniquely diverse student body. Now entering my senior year, I am immensely fulfilled and eager to share my deep love for Tufts' with prospective families.

Tip for future students

Dear Future Students, Never limit yourselves. Tufts boats a vibrant, welcoming community, and each person carries a unique story. While it's tempting to find "your people" during orientation and stick to a familiar environment, also challenge yourself to expand your circle. I have found incredible friends in the most unlikely places - my co-workers at Kindlevan Cafe, a girl who happened to sit across from me at the library, my neighbors on Pearson Road, and fellow Interfaith Ambassadors in Goddard Chapel. Have an open heart and immerse yourself in opportunities. To transfer students: Transferring is not admitting to failure, but rather pivoting for a better future. You are incredible brave for submitting that application, and don't worry, you're not starting from zero again. This time around, you are entering college with a deeper understanding of yourself, your preferences, and your capabilities. Tufts will welcome you, and you will amaze yourself with how much you can enjoy college. To international students: Be incredibly proud that you've taken this major step. I left home for boarding school in Hong Kong at 16, so I completely understand fear, homesickness, culture shock, and anxiety. It's alright - we're all here to help you, and your friends at Tufts will become your second family. While Medford is not Turkey, Japan, Spain, or Kenya, you'll find its charm, and appreciate its community.

Favorite class

"War Stories" blended history, literature, and film, challenging me to deconstruct the "heroic default" we often ascribe to conflict. Moving through narratives from World War I to Vietnam, I learned to look beyond rhetoric of glory to critically analyze the systemic, human realities of war. This course sharpened my critical thinking and solidified my commitment to pursuing a career dedicated to human rights and peace-building.

Career goals

Growing up in Taiwan, my academic interest and professional ambitions have steered me towards dissecting U.S.-China relations. As an intern at CNN Beijing last summer, I investigated trade tensions, technological competition, and cultural diplomacy. I find immense fulfillment in journalism and aspire to become an international correspondent in the short term, leveraging journalism to bridge global divides through storytelling. Ultimately, I plan to also pursue a degree in international law, recognizing that while the media illuminates global friction, international law provides the concrete framework to hold nations accountable and enforce regional peace.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Cooking is my love language. My ideal night at Tufts is hosting a hot pot dinner with friends —bargaining at the Boston Public Market in the afternoon, stopping by Chinatown for boba, prepping ingredients to soft jazz, and laughing over reality TV. On a snowy winter night, hot pot is the ultimate embodiment of home, warmth, and community.

High school or secondary school

Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong (Grades 11-12) - Hong Kong Taipei Wego Private Senior High School (Grades 7-10) - Taipei, Taiwan

Previous college

I was thrilled to attend George Washington University on a full scholarship, eager for the career opportunities D.C. could offer. However, I quickly realized that campus life felt isolating. Furthermore, my academic interests began to diverge from GWU's International Relations curriculum, which leaned heavily toward military strategy and security. I found myself searching for a program that prioritized human rights and peacebuilding instead, sparking my interest in Tufts University. Transferring to Tufts gave me exactly what I was searching for: a tight-knit community, a beautiful campus, and an academic environment that nurtured all interests.