Throughout my journey of volunteering at Nepal's largest book drive and witnessing the transformative power of education, my passion for technology and its potential to revolutionize the education system has been ignited. Imagine this: in remote villages of Nepal, where children have limited access to textbooks, let alone storybooks, I saw firsthand the immense disparity in educational resources. It is in these communities that I discovered the intersection of technology and education and the profound impact it can have on bridging the gap between privileged and underprivileged students and providing equal access to quality education. This experience has shaped my interest in computing and research, with a specific focus on leveraging technology to dismantle barriers to literacy and create an effective and inclusive education system. I am fascinated by the possibilities that advancements in artificial intelligence and computing bring, enabling us to transcend geographical limitations and empower students in rural areas with the resources they need to enhance their learning, curiosity, and imagination. I plan to work on Language Translation tools powered by AI to break down language barriers and provide real-time translation services. These tools can make educational content accessible to individuals who may speak different languages, thus promoting literacy among a broader audience. Looking towards the future, my long-term goal is to return to Nepal armed with a computer science degree and a network of connections from all around the world. I am determined to contribute towards building an effective and inclusive education system by developing innovative AI-driven software solutions that cater to the specific needs and challenges faced by the education system in Nepal. By combining local talent with technology, I envision empowering educators and students and fostering a culture of learning that goes beyond traditional textbooks. My lived experiences and passion for making a difference enable me to bring a unique perspective to the computer science community. Having witnessed the challenges faced by underprivileged students and the need for innovative solutions, I hope to contribute valuable insights and experiences to discussions and projects wherever I go. Furthermore, my cultural background and intimate familiarity with the local context in Nepal will allow me to provide meaningful input on designing AI-driven solutions that are culturally sensitive and tailored to the specific needs of the communities. Through computing research, I aim to have a unique impact on society by leveraging AI and technology to transform education systems and empower marginalized communities. I believe that every child, regardless of their socio-economic background, deserves access to quality education, and AI research can play a pivotal role in making this a reality.

Throughout my journey of volunteering at Nepal's largest book drive and witnessing the transformative power of education, my passion for technology and its potential to revolutionize the education system has been ignited. Imagine this: in remote villages of Nepal, where children have limited access to textbooks, let alone storybooks, I saw firsthand the immense disparity in educational resources. It is in these communities that I discovered the intersection of technology and education and the profound impact it can have on bridging the gap between privileged and underprivileged students and providing equal access to quality education. This experience has shaped my interest in computing and research, with a specific focus on leveraging technology to dismantle barriers to literacy and create an effective and inclusive education system. I am fascinated by the possibilities that advancements in artificial intelligence and computing bring, enabling us to transcend geographical limitations and empower students in rural areas with the resources they need to enhance their learning, curiosity, and imagination. I plan to work on Language Translation tools powered by AI to break down language barriers and provide real-time translation services. These tools can make educational content accessible to individuals who may speak different languages, thus promoting literacy among a broader audience. Looking towards the future, my long-term goal is to return to Nepal armed with a computer science degree and a network of connections from all around the world. I am determined to contribute towards building an effective and inclusive education system by developing innovative AI-driven software solutions that cater to the specific needs and challenges faced by the education system in Nepal. By combining local talent with technology, I envision empowering educators and students and fostering a culture of learning that goes beyond traditional textbooks. My lived experiences and passion for making a difference enable me to bring a unique perspective to the computer science community. Having witnessed the challenges faced by underprivileged students and the need for innovative solutions, I hope to contribute valuable insights and experiences to discussions and projects wherever I go. Furthermore, my cultural background and intimate familiarity with the local context in Nepal will allow me to provide meaningful input on designing AI-driven solutions that are culturally sensitive and tailored to the specific needs of the communities. Through computing research, I aim to have a unique impact on society by leveraging AI and technology to transform education systems and empower marginalized communities. I believe that every child, regardless of their socio-economic background, deserves access to quality education, and AI research can play a pivotal role in making this a reality.

Throughout my journey of volunteering at Nepal's largest book drive and witnessing the transformative power of education, my passion for technology and its potential to revolutionize the education system has been ignited. Picture this: in remote villages of Nepal, where children have limited access to textbooks, let alone storybooks, I saw firsthand the immense disparity in educational resources. It is in these communities that I discovered the intersection of technology and education and the profound impact it can have on bridging the gap between privileged and underprivileged students, providing equal access to quality education. This experience has shaped my interest in computing, with a specific focus on leveraging technology to dismantle barriers to literacy and create an effective and inclusive education system. I am fascinated by the possibilities that advancements in computing bring, enabling us to transcend geographical limitations and empower students in rural areas with the resources they need to enhance their learning, curiosity, and imagination. The ability to learn and explore through digital platforms not only promotes literacy but also opens doors to a world of knowledge and opportunities previously out of reach for these students. Looking towards the future, my long-term goal is to return to Nepal armed with a computer science degree and a network of connections from all around the world. I am determined to contribute towards building an effective and inclusive education system by developing innovative software solutions that cater to the specific needs and challenges faced by the education system in Nepal. By combining local talent with technology, I envision empowering educators and students and fostering a culture of learning that goes beyond traditional textbooks. My journey of having to leave my home country to pursue my passion for technology has made me acutely aware of the limitations and inequalities that exist within the education system. I believe that access to quality education should not be limited to those who have the means to leave their communities and study abroad. I want to ensure that talented individuals in Nepal, who may not have the resources or opportunities to study abroad, can access a world-class education within their own country. Through locally-driven initiatives and the use of technology, we can provide a platform for aspiring students and researchers to thrive within their own communities, breaking down the barriers that hinder their educational opportunities. Drawing from my lived experiences, and utilizing technology to empower underprivileged communities, I aspire to make a lasting and transformative impact on society by dismantling barriers to literacy and creating equal opportunities for all individuals.

As I read about the remarkable life and journey of Malgorzata "Maggie" Kwiecien, I am deeply moved by her resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit. Although I may not have experienced the same challenges as Maggie, her story resonates with me on multiple levels, and I find several parallels between her journey and my own. Moving across the world to explore and pursue my passions in technology was intimidating but it would have been my lifelong regret if I did not pursue them. My journey in STEM started in tenth grade, I was introduced to Unity, a cross-platform game engine used to develop video games which became my after-school obsession. I lost myself in my ability to manipulate objects in 2D/3D. Through L-systems, I created the very lemon tree that existed in my backyard inside my computer. The engine would produce seemingly supernatural effects, like matching the properties of objects with keywords. “Increasing width” would display a tall lemon plant and “decreasing leaf length” would display a plant with small leaves on my computer screen. My interest grew as I learned how to express my creativity with the help of technology. This fascination never left me, only growing more profound and passionate with every discovery I made. I realized that computer science is a magnificent combination of logic and creativity whose potential is seeming without limit, constrained only by your creativity. The process of being able to create endless possibilities with blocks of code led me to pursue a degree in Computer Science I want to use technology to tackle a real-life crisis in Nepal: an ineffective education system. I want to build software to dismantle barriers to literacy by uniting local talent with technology in an unprecedented, locally-driven digital library. I had to move across the world to explore and pursue my passions in technology and I want to go back home with a computer science degree and connections from alumni to help build an effective and inclusive education system. I aspire to follow in Maggie's footsteps and contribute to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I share her belief in the power of these disciplines to shape a better future and make a positive impact on society. Through this scholarship, I hope to honor Maggie's life and legacy by continuing to pursue my passion for STEM, following in her footsteps of resilience and using my knowledge to make a meaningful difference in the world.

From a young age, I was captivated by how technology could be harnessed to bring about positive change and shape the world we live in. This passion has driven me to pursue a path in which I can utilize technology as a catalyst for progress and make a tangible impact on society. In today's interconnected world, technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, permeating every facet of society. It has the power to break barriers, bridge divides, and empower individuals across the globe. Witnessing the immense influence technology wields, I am driven by a deep-seated belief that it holds the key to addressing some of the most pressing challenges we face as a collective humanity. One of the reasons I am passionate about technology is its potential to drive positive change on a global scale. It serves as a conduit for innovation, enabling us to tackle complex problems and find creative solutions. From developing renewable energy sources to revolutionizing healthcare delivery, technology empowers us to create a sustainable and inclusive future. The field of technology opens doors to endless possibilities. It enables us to build intelligent systems that can analyze vast amounts of data, leading to advancements in various domains, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. By harnessing these technologies, we can unlock valuable insights, improve decision-making processes, and address critical issues, ranging from climate change to poverty alleviation. Moreover, technology has the unique ability to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and provide them with a platform to be heard. It fosters inclusivity by democratizing access to information, education, and opportunities. Through digital platforms, we can bridge the digital divide, ensuring that individuals from all walks of life have the chance to thrive in the digital age. By embracing technology with a human-centric approach and a strong ethical foundation, we can shape a future where innovation serves as a force for good, enhancing the quality of life for all and creating a more sustainable and inclusive world. I am inspired by the countless stories of how technology has transformed lives and empowered communities. Whether it's using mobile applications to provide healthcare services in remote areas or leveraging virtual reality to enhance education for underserved students, the possibilities are endless. Technology allows us to dream big and work towards a more equitable and sustainable future.My passion for technology lies in its potential to create positive change, to tackle complex problems, and to uplift the lives of people around the world. I believe that by leveraging technology, we can forge a brighter future, one that is inclusive, sustainable, and equitable.

In tenth grade, I was introduced to Unity, a cross-platform game engine used to develop video games which became my after-school obsession. I lost myself in my ability to manipulate objects in 2D/3D. Through L-systems, I created the very lemon tree that existed in my backyard inside my computer. The engine would produce seemingly supernatural effects, like matching the properties of objects with keywords. “Increasing width” would display a tall lemon plant and “decreasing leaf length” would display a plant with small leaves on my computer screen. My interest grew as I learned how to express my creativity with the help of technology. This fascination never left me, only growing more profound and passionate with every discovery I made. I realized that computer science is a magnificent combination of logic and creativity whose potential is seeming without limit, constrained only by your own creativity. The process of being able to create endless possibilities with blocks of code led me to pursue a degree in Computer Science. My current CS goal is to find courses that challenge me and work for a company that builds a product that I believe in. I will also keep brainstorming, building side projects and eventually making my own ideas happen. In rural places of Nepal, children had barely any access to textbooks and most of them had never seen a storybook in their entire lives. I want to use technology to tackle a real-life crisis in Nepal: an ineffective education system. I want to build software to dismantle barriers to literacy by uniting local talent with technology in an unprecedented, locally-driven digital library. In rural places of Nepal, most people do not speak or understand basic English so an online library would give children or anyone a medium to learn English. I also want to dismantle gender discrimination that comes in STEM which is predominant in third-world countries using an inclusive education system. In my highschool, STEM competitions were separated into gender categories like “Senior Guys” and “Senior Girls”. I remember applying to participate in the math and technology talent competition but after the deadline had passed I found out that I was the only female applicant. The college then decided to cancel the category for girls. I wondered why the competition was even separated into gender categories in the first place. Is it because people do not think it would be a fair competition or is STEM perceived as a man's world? I had to move across the world to explore and pursue my passions in technology and I want to go back home with a computer science degree and connections from alumni to help build an effective and inclusive education system. I hope someday students in Nepal do not have to leave their homes just to seek better education elsewhere and young girls in STEM do not have to face the outsized presence of male STEM teachers and imbalanced classroom gender composition.