NRES Graduate Student Society
Upcoming Discussions
Stay tuned for information on this semester's discussions!
If you are interested in hosting a discussion let us know and we can announce it to the group and hold it in the GSS room! :)
NRES GSS Alumni Interviews!
Over the summer, the NRES GSS caught up with some of last year's graduates to find out what they've been up to since leaving the College of Environmental Studies and Dong Hwa University. Over the few next months, we'll post their responses here.
Ayla Martin-Royal
We start with Ayla Martin-Royle, who was among the first students to enroll in the College's "Master of Humanity and Environmental Science" program. She graduated in 2016. Many thanks to Jennifer Khattar for producing the interview.
Kenrick Williams
For the second post in our series, we caught up with Kenrick, who gradauated from the NRES PhD program in 2017 and who also recently visited our college to give a guest lecture in seminar. And...fun fact: Kenrick was one of the co-founders of the NRES GSS! Let's read about what he's been up to!
GSS: Sum up your time since you left NDHU in one word (or sentence).
KWW: PAYDAY!
GSS: Where are you?
KWW: BELIZE
GSS: What are you doing these days?
KWW: Serving as the Policy & Institutional Expert - Ministry of Environment,
Belize; Adjunct Professor - Galen University
GSS: Your recent travels and travel plans?
KWW: Central and South America - collaborating with UNDP Agencies of
conservation finance including Green Climate Fund (GCF).
GSS: What's most important in your life right now?
KWW: Giving back to my country!
GSS: A good book or paper you read within the last year?
KWW: George Orwell's 1984
GSS: One thing you miss about the College of Environmental Studies and why?
KWW: Walking around the campus during time of writer's block! Helped me to refocus!
GSS: One thing you miss about Hualien?
KWW: The scenery
GSS: The best thing that happened to you since graduating?
KWW: Landing my dream job!
GSS: The most valuable lesson you took with you from your time at NDHU?
KWW: Its not about the end goal...its the process that counts!
GSS: Your message to current students?
KWW: Studies is only the start of the equation - the impact of that on your community, country, the world is what will make the change we need!
GSS: Thank you!
Geoff Nikki
For the third post in our series, we caught up with Geoff, who gradauated
from the NRES MSc program and was also one of the co-founders of
the NRES GSS! Let's read about what he's been up to!
Major: Life cycle assessment
Hailing from: Fredericton, Canada
Graduated: 2016
GSS: Sum up your time since you left NDHU in
one word (or sentence).
GN: Got very, very busy.
GSS: Where are you?
GN: Pingtung
GSS: What are you doing these days?
GN: Father, husband, son, brother, uncle, cousin...commuter...and teacher and coach at an IB school.
GSS: Who is around you?
GN: My entire grade 7 volleyball team on our way to our first tournament!
GSS: What are your working towards?
GN: To implement inquiry and environmental studies into public education.
GSS: Your recent travels and travel plans?
GN: My family and I went home to Canada for July and August last year to see parents, siblings, and friends - what a trip! Next trip...Okinawa this CNY.
GSS: What's most important in your life right now?
GN: Family and teaching.
GSS: A good book or paper you read within the last year?
GN: Who's got the time?! (But I'm working on that)
GSS: A good movie or documentary you would recommend?
GN: Jago: A Life Underwater
GSS: One thing you miss about the College of Environmental Studies and why?
GN: My wonderful professors, intelligent debates, and being a student.
GSS: One thing you miss about NDHU and why?
GN: The campus, amazing campus, especially late afternoons.
GSS: One thing you miss about Hualien?
GN: Friends, food.
GSS: The best thing that happened to you since graduating?
GN: Got a job at an inquiry-based school.
GSS: The most valuable lesson you took with you from your time at NDHU?
GN: Don't waste your time, and not everything is as it seems.
GSS: Your message to current students?
GN: Read, read, read and set your goals high.
GSS: Thank you!
Sarah Westenberger
For the last installment of this mini series, we spoke to Sarah who was one
of the pioneers of the HES program at the College of Environmental Studies.
Major: Humanity and Environmental Science
Hailing from: Berlin, Germany
Graduated: 2016
GSS: Sum up your time since you left NDHU in one
word (or sentence).
SW: Many ups & downs privately and professionally,
but extremely exciting and fulfilling.
GSS: Where are you?
SW: Taipei, but my heart is still on the east coast and south
of Taiwan :-)
GSS: What are you doing these days?
SW: Since March I started my dream Job, working for ENERCON, a German renewable energy company having its Asian hub based in Taipei - Taiwan, which is supporting the green energy development in Taiwan and other Asian countries.
GSS: Who is around you?
SW: At the moment my parents (because I went back to Germany for Christmas). But back in Taiwan: A couple of good friends, good coworkers and most important my dog.
GSS: What are you working towards?
SW: More renewable energy and more community wind farms in Asia!
Spread the core concept of renewable energy; citizen involvement and decentralization.
Inspire people that you do not need meat & dairy to have a good life and be social.
GSS: Your recent travels and travel plans?
SW: Now: Germany
Last half year: Thailand and Sri Lanka
Next month: Philippines
(all work related travels though)
GSS: What's most important in your life right now?
SW: My families health, keep growing, stick to my values, be happy
GSS: A good book or paper you read within the last year?
SW: Neither a book nor a paper but articles about the Panama Papers are quite eye opening.
GSS: A good movie or documentary you would recommend?
SW: Earthlings
GSS: One thing you miss about the College of Environmental Studies and why?
SW: The discussion rounds, the nice and friendly atmosphere, some friends
GSS: One thing you miss about NDHU and why?
SW: The campus
The indigenous department and the indigenous language courses, because you cannot find it somewhere else
GSS: One thing you miss about Hualien?
SW: Aboriginal culture and friends
The riversides, the ocean, the green fields, the mountains
GSS: The best thing that happened to you since graduating?
SW: Being single again
The chance to work in the renewable business industry
GSS: The most valuable lesson you took with you from your time at NDHU?
SW: Spend more time outside and discover new places. Do not sit only inside and write your thesis.
GSS: Your message to current students?
SW: Be sure what you wish for, because it might come true
GSS: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
SW: Still in Taiwan, hopefully with an APRC and still in the green energy business.
Cheers,
Thanks for your time!
The GSS
Discussions!
This is a fun informal way to learn about current issues in the natural & social sciences as well as a great opportunity to have lively discussions with other grad students!
Anyone can choose the topic for discussion, so if you are interested in hosting a discussion let us know by emailing us at nres.grad@gmail.com
