Written by Hailey Tran (Class of 2024)
Photos by Ms. Ashley Hyunh

On March 18, 2024, high school students cleared their afternoon schedules to attend sessions hosted by various guest speakers coordinated by Office of Resources for International and Area Studies (ORIAS) at UC Berkeley. Led by a dynamic group of UC Berkeley graduates, including Sayantan Mitra, Miguel Alejandro Ochoa, Ghaleb Attrache, Coryna Ogunseitan, and Lauren Chambers, these sessions spanned a wide array of topics, from farming practices to conservation efforts to the ever-evolving impact of technology. The speakers discussed sustainable farming methods and the vital role of technology in agriculture. Additionally, one of the sessions focused on the practices for preserving nature while ensuring global equity. While one session, titled “Fire the Monster, the Teacher, the Gift,” prompted deep reflection on humanity’s interconnectedness with the natural world, we also had the opportunity to explore the power of nature writing in addressing climate change. Lastly, we confronted the potential pitfalls of artificial intelligence in a session appropriately titled “The Dark Side of AI.” These conversations left us feeling inspired and ready to work towards a future that reflects our values and aspirations.