Hi, I'm Hali! I am 27 years old, and I grew up in Woodstock, New York, a small town in the Hudson Valley. While growing up in such a rural environment was enriching, it also led me to be curious about the outside world. Unless my parents or the school arranged a trip, it wasn't very easy to travel outside and see cultures that are very different from the one I knew, and so I found myself drawn to traveling and exploring new possibilities.
Last year, I was thrilled to be awarded a Fulbright open research fellowship, which has given me the chance to spend 10 months in Taiwan studying design and craft and making my own furniture! This fellowship allows me to focus completely on designing, learning, and making, something that can be tough to do while balancing a regular job.
Before last year, I had never been to Asia, and I started learning Mandarin a couple of years ago while working full-time. This makes the experience exciting and challenging - learning a new language while living in a place that feels unfamiliar is engaging and really rewards you for practicing and studying.
In Taiwan, I'm working with local artists and craftspeople, exploring both traditional practices and recycled materials to see how they can be combined in creative new ways. I'm excited for the chance to share what I discover, and I hope my journey gives you a window into what it's like to live, work and create in another part of the world!
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!
