About me

Hi!
My name is Andy Marell and I am from Oakland, California. I am currently living in Rio de Janeiro, studying at PUC-Rio on an exchange program with the University of California, Davis. In Davis, I have been studying International Relations, with a focus on peoples and nationalities in Latin America. Though, in Brazil, I have been able once again explore other academic interests such as sociology, education, and of course learning portuguese. I started out in college as a sociology major, but have struggled trying to find an area of study that covers all of my academic interests.
In coming to Brazil, I have begun to realize the importance of education that takes place outside of the classroom. For as long as I remember, I have been interested in the social themes of race and social inequality. In both high school and college, I gravitated to classes that would help me understand the history of different peoples' struggles. However, in writing this reflection, I am forced to recognize that in my life, I have yet to find a way to channel what I learn inside of the classsroom, and utilize it to affect positive change in the community in which I live.
In the classroom, I have always been able to stand up and challenge something that I believe is unjust. But, I have still yet to take advantage of opportunities to act on my passions. I am a product of a society very much rooted in individualism and meritocracy. I consume, consume, consume, and what I dont consume, I waste, even though I believe it to be wrong. I need to get involved in making a difference in the world. I need to face this contradiction between my beliefs and my actions head on. It is time to stop saying and to start doing...