Danielle Fraser
When Danielle Fraser's plane touched down in Austin, Fraser wasn't thinking about the swaying palms, white sand beaches and turquoise waters she'd left behind. Having left her Caribbean homeland to pursue her master's degree in information sciences, Fraser was contemplating the landscape of her future. As she stepped off the plane, she embarked on a path that will, at its end, lead her back home.
"I was awarded a full scholarship from the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) of Trinidad and Tobago," Fraser said. "When I complete my studies, I will return to work for the library system in Trinidad, which is a prerequisite of the scholarship."
The country of Trinidad and Tobago (composed of two islands with a total population of more than a million people) faces a shortage of librarians much like the one faced in the United States. Fewer students are enrolling in library and information sciences, meaning fewer professional librarians to oversee dozens of public libraries.
"There are many people working in our libraries who have reached and passed retirement age," Fraser said. "There is a great need for graduates in library and information sciences."
Fraser's journey to higher education began with a scholarship to Howard University in Washington, D.C. While at Howard, Frasier earned a bachelor's degree in biology and a double minor in chemistry and mathematics.
After graduation, Fraser returned to Trinidad and spent two years working for the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST). While at NIHERST, she worked in the Innovations Unit department that coordinates the biennial Prime Minister's Awards for Innovation and Competition, which grants $1 million in prizes. Fraser also assisted at summer camps for primary and secondary school students focused on ideas and innovations, and she was the project officer for a traveling exhibit called "Go Creative," now housed in the National Science Center in Trinidad.
Out of 30 scholarship recipients, Fraser is the only student who applied to the School of Information at The University of Texas at Austin. She is also the sole recipient pursuing a certificate of advanced study in conservation studies.
"It will take two and a half to three years for me to get my master's degree from the School of Information and my certificate from the Kilgarlin Center," said Fraser. "The certificate requires a mandatory nine-month internship so it adds on another six months to a year to my studies."
Soon after arriving on campus, Fraser volunteered to work in the conservation department at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center. She'll spend much of her summer in the Book Lab, which she hopes will better prepare her for some of her upcoming classes.
When asked about her impression of Texas, Fraser was quick to respond.
"I didn't expect Texas to be so green," she said. "During the spring orientation, the International Office took us on a tour of the city. I was surprised to see so many lakes when we walked to the top of Mount Bonnell. It was very pretty.
"Another thing I like about the city is the abundance of live music. Like Trinidad, the music mixes all kinds of genres. Since some things are reminiscent of Trinidad, I can feel almost at home here in Austin."