Hi all! My name is Dylan Carson and I am a rising Junior/third year studying Government and Linguistics. I'm very interested in the factors causing democratic-backsliding , international relations, and how languages influences not only our cultures but our policy making. In my first Laidlaw summer, I traveled to Ecuador as my LiA where I will spend 6 weeks engaging in environmental restoration, intercultural leadership, and learning more about decolonizing theories with the Pachaysana Foundation.  In my second Laidlaw summer, I served as a research assistant in the Sustaining Paradise project led by Professor Chiara Formichi. The project focuses on Bali, Indonesia, where tourism-led development is actively destroying green spaces. We examined how Hindu-Bali religious and spiritual beliefs can be mobilized for environmental restoration in this touristic context. I'm looking to continuing this work in Fall 2026!  At Cornell, I've participated in the Student Government Assembly as a student representative, am part of an Improv theater group and play in the marching band. In the future, I'd like to get more involved in international relations/government related groups and opportunities as I'm interested in a career in foreign relations. I enjoy speaking languages and am currently learning French (advanced) and Spanish (beginning).  For fun, I love taking hikes, going out to new restaurants, playing baseball, watching sit-coms, and reading.  If anyone wants to say hello, feel free to email me at dpc227@cornell.edu! Hoping to meet you all in person! 

At Cornell University, students across disciplines are passionate about changing the world. Open to first- and second-year students, the Laidlaw Leadership and Research and Program provides generous support for student research, offers hands-on leadership development and reflection, and encourages students to reinvest their knowledge to help others succeed. Laidlaw Scholars are part of an international network of like-minded leaders.