Meet Cindy Han

Having immigrated from Beijing to Canada in grade four, Cindy has felt the influence of politics first-hand.

“As I’ve lived under fundamentally different regimes, I find my own life continually shaped by politics, dynamics in international relations and the clash of ideologies,” she says.

Heading to Cornell University to study political science and English, Cindy plans to pursue a career in law. She is eager to explore the political complexities of suppression, war and conquest—as well as freedom, democracy and basic rights—while making a difference through advocacy, writing and social justice.

Inspired by the advice of her role model, the late associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and Cornell alumna Ruth Bader Ginsburg, to “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you," Cindy is determined to make an impact through higher education and collaboration.

“At Cornell, I’ll be challenged to collaborate with those who have vastly different experiences than me, while having the opportunity to be inspired through both the sharing and diverging of perspectives.”

Cindy credits Branksome for giving her a strong sense of community and the freedom of exploration—values she sees as particularly important in an increasingly diversifying world.

“From the orchestra to Model UN to the Diversity Council, I found myself learning and growing in the multiple communities I've been involved in as a member or leader,” she says, noting the power of working with others. “Collaboration is not simply about sharing our particular identity or heritage, but also about appreciating and learning from one another’s individuality and differences.” 

From untangling issues of cryptocurrency, renewable energy and the threat of world recession at Model UN events, to winning regional writing awards in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition and publishing in online magazines and in Branksome’s Perennial magazine, Cindy has honed her passion for politics, collaboration and writing.

Now she is harnessing her powerful voice to help shape a better world.