Finding Purpose in Geneva

Reflecting on this past summer at the Palais des Nations

This past summer, I had the transformative opportunity to spend a month in Geneva, Switzerland. As a research fellow at the Palais des Nations (United Nations Office in Geneva), I was able to explore the powerful intersection of global perspectives and humanitarian causes. Looking back on this journey now, I realize it solidified a deeper purpose rooted in civil rights inspired by the legacy of John Lewis.

You may be thinking what John Lewis has to do with Geneva, Switzerland … I thought the same thing

It is funny how moments align in our lives to tell us something important.

I applied to this program twice through Northeastern, and on my second attempt, I was accepted! I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and my professor’s belief in my potential to bring valuable perspectives to the experience.

Sometimes I look at myself and truly ask what I bring to the table. I’m a redhead who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. I didn’t go to a boarding school abroad or have citizenship in another country, I only speak English (as much as I desperately want to become fluent in Spanish), and I constantly don’t feel as smart and accomplished compared to my peers.

My experience in Geneva taught me that I do bring something to the table. It may not be my appearance or a multilingual background, but I do carry a valuable perspective. I’m an American citizen who has experienced living in New England and the Deep South. I’m a fourth-generation descendant of Irish immigrants. I’m a person who was exposed to the civil rights movement at a young age. I’m a woman who continues to explore my identity and help others realize the importance of advocating for theirs too. I’m a person who finds strength in mental and physical wellness through field hockey and the practice of yoga. I carry an intersection of values and attributes that create my valuable perspective, and I should never discount that.

Leading up to Geneva, I was so excited to contribute but also nervous about what this month would hold. At this point in my academic career, I was set to take the Law School entrance exam (LSAT) in September and apply to law schools. I still was unsure of my mission and purpose in law other than that I just really wanted to go!

While in Geneva, I immersed myself in international law and transnational issues surrounding weapons disarmament, artificial intelligence, and the law of nature. My coursework in women’s studies and legal work prior to Geneva exposed me to the harmful effects bias has on data science and artificial intelligence. I compiled extensive research on facial recognition for an attorney at the beginning of the summer. This later ignited my pursuit to research artificial intelligence’s role in the deterioration of feminism and racial equality while in Geneva. My coursework and research papers addressed complex topics, particularly AI governance and the intersectionality of biases within data systems. Being in Geneva allowed me to work alongside diplomats, ambassadors, and professors, contributing to high-level discussions about international law and peace-making. But it was the moments of connection and unexpected signs along the way that ignited a passion I had only begun to understand.

As I engaged with colleagues from all over the world, I was in awe of the diverse perspectives my peers brought to each discussion. I struggled initially with the imposter syndrome that sometimes crept in. But each conversation and each interaction proved to be invaluable in broadening my worldview. Through these connections, I learned that every perspective contributed uniquely to our shared mission of understanding and fostering international law and humanitarian goals.

This is the cool part I promise…

One evening, I attended a gala where the president of InterPeace spoke. His stories of personal growth and history when his leadership was tested resonated deeply with me. As he spoke, he referenced Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama as one of those moments. For those who don’t know this day is marked as the day when John Lewis, Martin Luther King Jr., and other civil rights leaders were met with brutality in their peaceful protest. My heart quickened when he mentioned that a United Nations flag had flown that day beside the U.S. flag. He mentioned Ralphe Bunche was there, standing side by side with Martin Luther King, John Lewis, and a plethora of other civil rights leaders. This visual immediately triggered a flashback to when I would sit in my dad's home office, asking questions about the photo of the Edmund Pettus Bridge on the wall.

Why was Ralph Bunche there? He was an international diplomat whose interests were in other regions tackling different challenges. His interests were also aligned with the civil rights of Black Americans. He brought the symbolism of creating racial equality and civil rights as an international humanitarian norm. This intersection of domestic rights and international norms struck me. It was almost as if a light bulb just turned on in my brain.

Bunche’s presence that day represented a larger, deeply moving reality that civil rights in the U.S. were not just a national issue but a critical part of global human rights.

The next morning, I called my dad to share the connection I felt between my work in Geneva and my connection to John Lewis. My dad has been my guide and role model in understanding civil rights. As I spoke, I felt a sense of calling as if all the experiences, studies, and connections in my life had been leading me to this realization. I felt my purpose unfolding. My sister and I were taught at a young age the importance of racial equality, nonviolent principles of justice, and the concept of "Good Trouble". My dad instilled in us the courage to rebel against racism and bigotry and encouraged us to stand up for ourselves and our peers. We were taught to understand history and the systemic oppression that occurs in modern life. He taught us that understanding the struggles of those who came before us is essential for creating a more just world today. My dad was deeply inspired by my grandfather and his role-model, John Robert Lewis. My grandfather (a second-generation Irish immigrant) hung a "No Irish Need Apply" sign in his office as a constant reminder of the discrimination that Irish immigrants had faced. For him, it wasn’t just a relic of the past but a symbol of the perseverance and strength it took for the Irish community to overcome discrimination. For my dad, this connection to our family’s past shaped his own identity and fueled his passion for teaching us the importance of advocating for our collective identity.

Later that day, I walked alone to our scheduled visit at the residence of the U.S. Human Rights Ambassador Michelle Taylor. I wanted to reflect on last night, my conversation with my dad and have a moment with my thoughts. I was excited to be inspired yet completely humbled by the opportunities ahead and proud of the work I was doing.

I buzzed the gate of the residence, and the guard led me to the front door. When the door opened I was met with a piece of art hanging on the wall. The person depicted in the piece was none other than Congressman John Lewis. My jaw dropped to the floor. I was in complete shock. My stomach started to catch butterflies and I felt tingling behind my eyes. There was no way I was about to tear up in the Ambassador’s residence. This was more than a coincidence: it felt like a calling, a message that I was on the right path.

Reflecting on these experiences, I realize that my time in Geneva was not only about learning the mechanics of international law or engaging with the global community. It was about recognizing my path forward. Geneva showed me that the issues I care about are interconnected. The work of advocating for justice is a shared human endeavor that transcends borders.

As I look forward, I’m driven by a profound question: How can I use my experiences and my valuable perspective to inspire change and justice? That’s a question I hope to answer by dedicating myself to carrying forward this legacy, whether it’s in the courtroom, in my local community, or on the international stage.

And to anyone unsure of their purpose, their mission, and what they bring to the table, I would tell them it’s already within you. I would recommend anyone in any stage in their life to stay curious and to take advantage of any opportunities that arise. You never know what life will throw at you. You never know when a moment of realization will happen. And I know there is not just one of these life-altering moments.

With gratitude,

Olivia