To answer my own question, I believe things that happen never cease to exist, whether they live on through memory, friendships or influence on others or yourself. Harbingers’ Magazine has doubtless had a great effect on my life. I will use this piece to reflect on my journey with the magazine for my own sake, but also to show how being a part of a project like this can shape who you become.

Newsrooms in Oxford and Washington, DC

For about three out of my 18 years (16.67% of my life), I have been writing for Harbingers’. It all began when I went to the summer newsroom at Oxford University in the UK in 2023. Aged 15, I went by myself, staying at St Anne’s College, not knowing a thing about journalism but wanting to learn more.

Only as I began writing myself did I begin to understand that journalism is interdisciplinary, meaning that there can never be a single path in becoming a journalist. During my time with Harbingers’, I have written about many subjects, including the Bushido samurai tradition in Japan; complicated geopolitical scenarios; debates over the legal drinking age; basketball; social media, and much more.

I continued writing for a year, using my introduction to journalism to grow as a writer and researcher. Specifically, I became interested in reporting on and analysing geopolitical topics, which are often intertwined with economic implications.

So, when I learned that Harbingers’ was hosting their next summer newsroom in Washington, DC – just a few months before the 2024 US presidential election – I jumped at the chance to go (and it was closer to home).

After covering the lead-up to the election and the NATO Summit in DC, it was time to return home, where I continued into the winter writing about the results of the election and policy changes to come. I used the momentum I gained from the US presidential election to segue into writing about the 2025 Canadian election.

Trips to Nepal and Peru

In March of 2025, I had the honour of becoming Editor-in-Chief of Harbingers’. In addition to my technical responsibilities – which I elaborate more about in the 2025 Editorial Board’s end-of-year piece – I teamed up with six other editors from around the world to help run the content and publishing schedules.

That summer, I had an opportunity to do something amazing: fly across the world to Nepal. In addition to being able to see the Himalayas and learn about Nepali culture, I worked with our Nepali Newsroom at Mountain Children Home, where I made friendships and connections that I hope will last a lifetime.

Right afterwards, I travelled to Peru to help volunteer at Centro Ann Sullivan Del Perú (CASP) and use my platform at Harbingers’ to raise awareness for CASP and other institutions that work with individuals with developmental disabilities.

The Harbingers’ Project mentors taught me all about journalism and ethics and about how to break free of nerves; I gained the ability to interview important figures, for instance. I also learned the importance of human connection from other members of the Editorial Board, and the people I met on my travels across the globe.

As I move on and attend Brown University in the US in the autumn, I will not only bring my experience as a journalist with me, I will reunite with my friend – and Harbingers’ alumnus – Christian Yeung. But my job is not done, I want to keep sharpening my writing skills, and continue to tell stories and create meaningful connections in order to grow both professionally and personally.