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Our Stories
Reflections on the stories we're told and leaning into a culture of connection and rest over hustle and grind.
Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk
7 days ago7 min read
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The Fulbright Program and What We Can Do
Fulbright Scholars around the world are without money right now: Here's what we can do.
Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk
Mar 86 min read
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What We Know and What We Ask
I’ve found there are two major schools of thought when it comes to research - you’re a [qualitative, quantitative, etc.] researcher, or...
Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk
Sep 19, 20237 min read
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Why I Write
I stood trembling in a library. I gripped the small, blue book tightly. Surveying the entire library, family members were present,...
Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk
Aug 27, 20237 min read
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Using han, Finding jeong
This is the final reflection I shared in my dissertation. I reflect on my Korean culture and heritage, and the process of using the...
Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk
Aug 1, 20234 min read
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Life After the PhD
I initially started this website a year ago when I felt as if I was drowning, struggling to find out what my next steps would be and...
Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk
Jun 20, 20234 min read
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Housing Justice in San Diego
I've lived in San Diego for most of my life. I was born here, grew up here, left at 18, September 2006, and returned September 2011, 5...
Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk
May 19, 20237 min read
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Masking Tools of Oppression as Equity
I wrote this piece in the summer of 2021, but I've updated it and added some additional thoughts as things have shifted, but really not...
Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk
Jan 6, 20233 min read
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Stay Today
The smell of the fresh rain hitting the gravel road, The light that showed, Roared, And sparked in the sky, Reminding us of the beauty of...
Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk
Jul 24, 20221 min read
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Heartland of the United States
As an academic, teacher, activist, and "progressive" (leftist) living in a large city, I can't help but reflect on things as I drive...
Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk
Jul 10, 20224 min read
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Breathing, Fighting
I wrote this poem in the summer of 2020, but I wanted to share it now so it's more recent and accessible. Feeling, breathing, fighting,...
Charlene Holkenbrink-Monk
Jul 7, 20221 min read
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