Hello and halo! My name is Olivia, and I am excited to share my journey with you! I grew up near Seattle, Washington, where I loved spending time in nature, exploring and learning about the world around me. This inspired me to study the environment in college at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts.
In school, I learned that we can use natural power (like sunlight, flowing rivers, and wind) to turn on lights, charge phones, and run our homes. This kind of energy is called renewable energy because it comes from sources that can naturally be replenished. I wanted to learn more about how we can use renewable energy to help people and communities around the world.
The country of Indonesia is doing a lot of exciting work with renewable energy. Indonesia has thousands of small island communities that are far away from big power lines, so people there have come up with amazing new ways to make their own electricity. This led me to start a Fulbright research project there so I can learn more!
In Indonesia, I will visit four communities to learn how people make and use energy. One community uses the sun, another uses moving water, another uses a gas made from animal waste, and another combines different types of energy, including solar and wind power. I’ll talk with community members, explore how these systems work, and learn how having electricity affects everyday life. I hope this project can help people learn about the benefits of renewable energy in Indonesia and around the world.
Outside of my research, I'll be exploring nature and getting to know the communities around me. I'm excited to learn Bahasa Indonesia (the Indonesian language), try new foods, and take part in local traditions like gotong royong, where neighbors come together to help one another.
I am so excited to explore Indonesia, learn about its people and traditions, and make new friends along the way. Most of all, I can't wait to learn from the people I meet and share what I discover with you!
Want to learn how you could be a Fulbright Scholar like me? The Fulbright Program is the United States government's flagship international exchange program. Fulbrighters foster mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, share knowledge across communities, and improve lives around the world. Learn more by clicking here!
