Humans of Minerva

Navigating societal waves and expectations, Hono continually reshapes herself while searching for who she truly is. Walking alongside people who feel similarly pressured and lost, she gently reminds them and herself that life has no single scripted path and that following one's genuine heart is always okay.

Lois is from Hong Kong, and found her traveling spark in Bosnia, and has now traveled and lived in dozens of countries! From journalism to tech and design, she’s passionate about making the world a better place through small little actions. Listen to this episode where she takes you along her journey of reimagining the possibilities of life!

Allie loves nature, basketball, animals, and trying to make students laugh. She grew up in Maryland and earned her PhD in Massachusetts before settling in the midwest. She somehow loves it in Minnesota despite the cold. Teaching students at Minerva inspires her; if she’s not teaching, she’s probably looking for a cool rock.

Mashiko grew up in Georgia—the country—where she spent winters skiing with friends, summers eating salty corn on the beach with family, and semesters staying up far too late studying with an English dictionary by her side, fueled by curiosity, determination, and reasons still somewhat unknown beyond studying.She loves crafting unnecessarily elaborate dinner menus, picking up new instruments with more enthusiasm than skill, and saying yes when friends convince her to go on adventures she’d probably never dare to embark on alone.

Wisdom embodies the hustle of his homecountry, Nigeria, but also the reflectiveness and gentleness of a kid who grew up reading Shakespeare and playing chess. He's passionate about both consuming great art, evidenced by his summer reading challenge and newfound C.S. Lewis appreciation, and creating art, mainly through poetry, but recently, through various audio recordings.

Chaeyeon Kim grew up in Busan singing to birds, because they deserved it. She traded Korean sunsets for five cities, a Hollywood internship, and a psychology degree she uses mostly to understand why she keeps joining theatre productions while critiquing them simultaneously. Multifaceted, radiant, and chronically in a flow state, this is Dora the Explorer's greatest success story.

Rachel Kim is a coach, educator, and community builder passionate about helping people find clarity, connection, and meaningful work. She believes heartful conversations can create more peaceful communities. Outside of work, she enjoys consuming an arguably excessive amount of books, podcasts, and streaming TV (Real Housewives are her guilty pleasure).

The first group of Minervans to ever be in Tokyo... if you are listening to this episode years later, come see how your Minervan ancestors (specifically here we have your host Linda, Mara, Syuzi from M28, and Maggie from M26!) have survived, ventured out, and squeezed every second that they have here. Tune in for our advice on the best konbini to visit, how we found our community and family, and navigated loneliness with grace.

Sofia Alicia Perez is a M28 who grew up between hot Miami and rainy England. Drawn to storytelling, women’s health, and sustainability, she refused to pick one path. Instead, she mixes science and art to chase bold, messy solutions - because what great story ever follows a straight line?

Van is a city dwelling, yet nature loving, aspiring parent and life long student. He loves movement and change and and is deeply connected with his emotions. He believes adventuring is a mindset from climbing mountains to dreaming at night to cafe hopping and making meaningful connections kids through teaching.