Joyce Rivera Gonzalez

What is your hometown?

Utuado, Puerto Rico

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Notre Dame?

I was completing my bachelors degree in integrative biology at the University of Puerto Rico-R�o Piedras, where I was also involved in the Asociaci�n Universitaria de Antropolog�a and volunteered at the Caribbean Primate Research Center.

What obstacles did you overcome to attend Notre Dame?

Moving into the mainland U.S. from Puerto Rico was difficult, even if I was still moving domestically. Since I had never lived outside of Puerto Rico, I feared the cultural and linguistic challenges of moving to the American Midwest the most.

What do you research?

I am a cultural anthropologist, and I am interested in how young Puerto Ricans conceptualize disaster and crisis in a continuously uncertain and precarious socio-political and economic landscape.

Which Notre Dame clubs or activities do you enjoy?

Latinx Graduate Association at Notre Dame,

Do you live on campus or off?

off campus

What do you like to do in your spare time for fun? What hobbies do you enjoy?

Reading, dogs, tarot, sewing, boxing, coffee, beers, finding new bookshops, finding new places and new things to eat, plants

How do you unwind after a long day of work?/How do you practice self-care?

Meditate, exercise, read tarot, cuddle with dog, sage and sandalwood incense, read, watch TV with my boyfriend

After you graduate, what would you like to do?

I would like to work in a non-governmental or grassroots organization, especially related to issues of social and environmental justice.

Why did you choose Notre Dame?

I came here initially to work with my previous mentor, a very esteemed person in the field. He was very supportive from the very start. Given that my project changed significantly, I was not able to continue working with him, but his support was pivotal in my journey to Notre Dame.