The Swetland Center is excited to welcome our new volunteer Thiago Gonzalez to the center! Please read more about Thiago and his experience below. We are eager to learn and share with Thiago!
1. What project will you be working on and what is your role?
I鈥檒l be working as a volunteer on foodNEST program and seminars.
2. Where are you from?
I鈥檓 from a small county in Brazil called Bar茫o de Juparan茫, located in Rio de Janeiro State. I grew up there and moved to Volta Redonda for high school, undergraduate and master鈥檚 degree. It鈥檚 my fourth month living in Cleveland, and I met so many wonderful people here that it already feels like home.
3. What is your background in? Ex: qualitative research, urban planning, etc
My undergrad was in Production Engineering but since I went to Lima, Peru in 2016 to teach about environmental issues in an orphanage I started to think about working with the environment鈥檚 impact in our lives. That made me choose to do a master鈥檚 degree in Environmental Science, which I鈥檒l finish in the beginning of next year.
I have done research about climate change鈥檚 perception of small-scale fishers and environmental valuation and perception of polluted beaches. These made me have some experience designing a survey and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.
4. What excites you about joining the Swetland Center?
When I learned about the Swetland Center I knew that it was the place I was looking for. I want to do research that helps other people and the work that is being done in the center is very important to Cleveland鈥檚 communities. I鈥檓 very excited to work with so many great people in the project and learn with them.
5. What is your favorite outdoor space in Cleveland or a place you want to explore?
My favorite space is the Lakeview Cemetery, a great place to walk and relax. I鈥檓 looking forward to visiting the Holden Arboretum, which was highly recommended.
6. What is a piece of advice you have been given or quote/statement that is significant to you?
鈥淏e the change you want to see in the world鈥�. It鈥檚 credited to Gandhi, although I鈥檓 not sure if he truly said that. But the important thing to me is the message of this quote.