I love going to new places and meeting inspiring people: While studying, I often snuck away from campus and went off to shoot films instead. The protagonists ranged from an Ethiopian asylum seeker to casteless people in India and families of kidnapping victims in Colombia. After finishing my degree, I did internships and worked as a freelancer for documentary production companies and TV stations (BR, SWR, ARD). I joined DW in 2012 – and even today, my favorite part of the job is leaving the office to go to a new place, meet someone interesting and report about what matters in his or her life.

What was your biggest challenge growing up?

Learning to trust my own judgement. When I was 19 and finished high school, I wanted to spend a year working and traveling around the world - by myself. My mum was worried about me, a teacher told me I needed way more money, and a friend of mine even feared I'd get raped or kidnapped. I became really nervous, but did it anyway – and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Despite the disasters I faced while I was away - both big and small - in the end, I came back home having learned how to survive abroad and, most importantly, how to believe in myself.

What does happiness mean to you?

Swing dancing at a beach. Standing on a mountain top. Seeing that the most important people in my life are happy.

What was the first thing you shared - and why?

My thumb! When we were little, my twin brother and I used to fall asleep next to each other in the stroller. But when choosing which thumb to suck on, he sometimes got confused and took mine!