Lilla Bond | Oxford rejection, autistic brother, I Know a Girl, W Series, Universities in Canada and Hong Kong, Cambridge, and More | Coffee's on Me, David Quan

Lilla Bond is an MPhil student studying Geography at Clare College, Cambridge. She has had a fascinating educational journey, growing up in the UK near Birmingham, completing the IB Diploma, then doing a 4-year undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, including a 6-month exchange at the University of Hong Kong. Whilst in University, she founded the inclusive female and non-binary networking group ‘I know a Girl’, and recently spent the summer working for the all-female race series ‘W Series’ on the Formula One Support Package. ---WHY? COFFEE'S ON ME, DAVID QUAN 权丁文 TL;DR: To process my emotions after a grueling campaign for President of The Cambridge Union, I reflected upon the influences of my late Grandfather and wrote him a letter: https://www.varsity.co.uk/features/23458 . Drawing inspiration from him, I hope to learn more from others through genuine discussions – giving listeners heartfelt conversations filled with authentic insights, and giving guests legacy-worthy interviews to treasure. My interactions with the diverse individuals of the wider community, especially during my campaign for President of The Cambridge Union, were character-shaping and memorable. I was genuinely touched by those who resonated with my vision underpinned by accessibility and inclusivity, who courageously shared their poignant life stories. Equally, I respected those who did not to support my campaign, who kindly dissected my shortcomings and flaws. When writing to my late Grandfather as a reflective exercise, I was inspired to set up this Podcast. To converse with someone without a strict time limit or structure – meticulously engaging in a curious process of clarifications or elaborations – is not only a rare privilege. This longer format also allows the sharing of otherwise unshared or unappreciated anecdotes. There are appeals to sound-bite media, of course, but the metrics that matter most to me are more about the uniqueness of contribution than measures of virality. Over time, I hope to be able to better deconstruct guests' fascinating experiences – to seamlessly tease out the insights for listeners to enjoy and learn from while cooking, commuting, relaxing, or walking their pet. But this personal project is fundamentally as much about what we can learn from the guests as it is to give them (current) legacy-worthy interviews. My top priority is for guests to enjoy a unique opportunity to challenge, learn about, and be themselves; hopefully, there will be able to keep recordings of in-depth, heartfelt conversations to reflect on in years’ time. And the best part for guests? Coffee’s on Me, David Quan 权丁文--- NOMINATE A GUEST Please contact me to nominate someone. This would really help identify the anonymous extraordinaries, those who humbly go about their lives with great meaning and purpose. ---CONTACT MEHaving grown up in Xi'an, China, and Adelaide, Australia, I am a 2nd year undergraduate student at Clare College, University of Cambridge, UK. Please do have the courage to say hello!LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/DavidQuanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dingwen-david-quan/Instagram: @DavidQuan32Facebook: David QuanYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-_zEeiF5n5ZTArvMcXpMlQ