My name is Felisa and I am both a Swedish and a Filipino citizen. I was born and raised in the Philippines but less than five years ago, I moved to Sweden. Within these years, I have had time to become fluent in the language, complete my Filipino high school grades and be admitted to a bachelor’s program (in Swedish). I will be graduating this year with a bachelor’s degree in global development. I also have a university degree in the Philippines with a distinction Magna cum laude, which means that my grades are exemplary.

In the Philippines, I have lived both in big cities and in the countryside. I have also lived and worked in various states in the United States on several occasions. I am a hardworking person with very positive energy. My life experiences have contributed to broadening my perspective and making me open-minded.

As a person, I am curious about people and cultures. I love to travel and explore, but also to study and read about the world and above all global development issues such as peace. I believe in the importance of peace in achieving global development. Peace plays an important role in pursuing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals created by the United Nations. Without peace, nothing will be achieved. This is evident in war-torn societies in which human rights are violated, democracy is backsliding, and development is falling.

I have myself met people affected by war. I have been a volunteer at the Red Cross in Skärholmen, Stockholm. The organization offers temporary accommodation, food, clothing and various activities such as teaching Swedish to refugees and other migrants in a vulnerable situation. I was involved in teaching Swedish language to the refugees.

Most recently, I received a scholarship from SIDA, a Swedish government agency for development cooperation, to do a minor field study (MFS) in the Philippines. For two months, I explored opportunities and challenges with distance learning for high school students living in rural areas. This research has been rewarding. I am also passionate about global issues related to education. I believe that education is a way out of poverty and a chance to achieve individual development and global development in general.