2021 Literae Humaniores Hi there! I’m Helena, a fourth year studying Classics, focusing mainly on archaeology and Roman history. Recently I’ve been researching my thesis on the influence of Graeco-Roman iconography on Western Chinese textiles which has been really fascinating to see the extent of cross-cultural connection and development in the ancient world. I’ve loved my time at Balliol due to all the opportunities the college has given me as well the communities it has provided me– during my second and third years I was part of the rowing team committee, working as both vice women’s captain and women’s captain. To have been offered the Pathfinders award is something I’m extremely grateful for, and I’m very much looking forward to travelling to as many places as possible in Asia and meeting alumni. Once there, I hope to explore the different architectural styles and landscapes of the countries I will visit, collating this through different artistic mediums. Through this process I hope to understand the complexities and wide range of differences across neighbouring cultures and within the same cultures in both urban and rural areas. I’ve always wanted to visit this part of the world, so I am very grateful both to Balliol for organising it and for the alumni/ae who are willing to host me and show me the area they call home.