Class XXIII (2025-2026)

Thristina currently works in the United States Peace Corps as an assessment officer where she assesses and interviews for Peace Corps placements and works with host countries on identifying needs.

As a Peace Corps volunteer, I experienced people-to-people situations where I learned the importance of capacity building through direct interactions with people in an East African community.

This two-year experience living and working in another country was a challenging experience that tested and strengthened my interpersonal skills. I see this fellowship as a way to build on those people-to-people skills and allow me to learn academically about international development work.

It will broaden my understanding of how data and case studies worldwide and, hopefully, challenge me to think in new ways with new perspectives further giving me more tools to continue the work I love while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer. After completing this fellowship, my short-term goal is to continue working with the communities I will be a part of my applied fieldwork through the fellowship program.

The applied field experience is for a few months, and I would like to return to this research to continue learning more. My long-term goal is to work in communities as a bridge builder to further cross-cultural understanding and growth. I am particularly interested in working with female and immigrant populations.

However, I am leaving some room for discovery as I learn more through obtaining my master’s degree and specific areas of work. In my experience with peace-building work, I understand “the importance of allowing room for flexibility.