Taking a leave of absence from Goucher College was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made. Finances played a large part in this decision but there were other contributing factors as well. As I began my junior year as a biology major, I started to focus on my career aspirations. I have varied interests and wanted the solid foundation a liberal arts education could give me. I had been challenging myself with several higher-level biology and chemistry classes; however, I was unsure if biology was my passion. I started talking to my advisor about changing majors. Changing majors at this point would mean a minimum of three extra semesters. Without the aid of my merit scholarship, this was financially unfeasible. Sadly, I had no choice but to leave the college I loved and all the friendships and connections I had made. I decided to take a leave to prudently plan my next steps. I came home to New York where I would be able to work and save money to transfer to a college with a strong Liberal Studies program. Currently, I am working 27.5 hours a week as a nurse’s aide in an elementary school. I am also enrolled in four classes at Suffolk County Community College. I have learned that my path in life is not always linear as I expected. Sometimes having the courage and flexibility to deviate from the straight path is a journey of transformation. I have found maturity and resilience I didn’t believe I possessed. It has also been an opportunity to do an honest appraisal of my weaknesses and take steps to address and improve myself. In High School, I had a 504 for ADHD and I was very successful without medication and with the modifications of extended time and assistive technology for writing. When I started college I decided not to use these modifications. I started seeing a professional for my ADHD and decided to try medication. It took two prescriptions and several weeks over the summer to adjust the dosage. However, when I started my junior year I found the medication was making me anxious. Under professional direction, I weaned myself off the ADHD medication and have started cognitive behavioral therapy. This time has helped me discover that although I loved my previous college it didn’t offer the variety of liberal arts classes and opportunity to graduate on time. I learned I am successful in art, humanity, history, and economy classes. I would love the opportunity to successfully finish my undergraduate career as a Global or Liberal Studies major. I would welcome the opportunity to do research at a university. Work experience or internships in environmental studies would also be an opportunity to learn more about my future career path. I want to extend my passion for learning by attending graduate school in the future. This scholarship will help me to have a second chance to finish my bachelor's degree. I will absolutely use my degrees to work tirelessly to promote environmental sustainability. Climate change is an existential crisis for humanity and I am passionate about dedicating my career to helping the world achieve net zero carbon emissions.

Taking a leave of absence from Goucher College was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made. Finances played a large part in this decision but there were other contributing factors as well. As I began my junior year as a biology major, I started to focus on my career aspirations. I have varied interests and wanted the solid foundation a liberal arts education could give me. I had been challenging myself with several higher-level biology and chemistry classes; however, I was unsure if biology was my passion. I started talking to my advisor about changing majors. Changing majors at this point would mean a minimum of three extra semesters. Without the aid of my merit scholarship, this was financially unfeasible. Sadly, I had no choice but to leave the college I loved and all the friendships and connections I had made. I decided to take a leave to prudently plan my next steps. I can home to New York where I would be able to work and save money to transfer to a college with a strong Liberal Studies program. Currently, I am working 27.5 hours a week as a nurse’s aide in an elementary school. I am also enrolled in three classes at Suffolk County Community College. I have learned that my path in life is not always linear as I expected. Sometimes having the courage and flexibility to deviate from the straight path is a journey of transformation. I have found maturity and resilience I didn’t believe I possessed. It has also been an opportunity to do an honest appraisal of my weaknesses and take steps to address and improve myself. In High School, I had a 504 for ADHD and I was very successful without medication and with the modifications of extended time and assistive technology for writing. When I started college I decided not to use these modifications. I started seeing a professional for my ADHD and decided to try medication. It took two prescriptions and several weeks over the summer to adjust the dosage. However, when I started my junior year I found the medication was making me anxious. Under professional direction, I weaned myself off the ADHD medication and have started cognitive behavioral therapy. This time has helped me discover that although I loved my previous college it didn’t offer the variety of liberal arts classes and opportunity to graduate on time. I learned I am successful in art, humanity, history, and economy classes. I would love the opportunity to successfully finish my undergraduate career as a Global or Liberal Studies major. I would welcome the opportunity to do research at a university. Work experience or internships in environmental studies would also be an opportunity to learn more about my future career path. I want to extend my passion for learning by attending graduate school in the future.

I am traveling to travel abroad in my senior year with some classmates. I am an introvert. It is hard for me to find the courage to connect with other students. I know it’s important to interact with others, just as it is imperative to connect globally. Planning this trip has motivated me to reach out to others despite my hesitancy. Humans thrive when they cooperate. Remaining isolated prevents me from sharing my gifts with others. It’s difficult for me to connect with my peers. But now I have something in common with them. I engage in discussions outside of class about our trip. The nations on our planet are united in a time of global interdependence. I can't wait to travel outside the US for the first time to gain a global perspective. The way I learn about cultures that differ from mine is by reading. A story that has changed my perspective is The Kite Runner. I imagine the streets of Kabul and how they’ve changed through the decades. In the 70’s when a military coup ended the monarchy kites were still flying. And then in the 80’s when the Soviets invaded, Russian tanks barreled down its streets. By 2000 Kabul was nearly destroyed and the Taliban patrolled its ruined streets. A descriptive book can make you feel like you are a part of the setting, but having the opportunity to walk the streets and use all my senses to experience these cities brings it to a new level. Formal and informal institutions speak volumes about what the citizens of a nation value and play a major role in defining their society. I hope to use all my senses to experience the cities of the world. In Paris, I can imagine standing under the Arc de Triomphe and not only seeing the architecture and learning about its history but at the same time taking in the sight and sound surrounding the Arch in real-time. Noticing how people are dressed, the foods they eat, and hearing the music they listen to. I can make the world a better place through storytelling. I want to study culture to learn about who we are and in what ways we can improve and evolve as a global community. If I can stir passion in others, I can change the world. To change the world I must see the world. I want to experience this trip with the eyes of a storyteller. I hope to observe the similarities by seeing the differences in architecture, languages, traditions, monuments, artwork, clothing, food, and attitudes. I want to discover what is universal. What binds humanity together? What themes will resonate with a global audience?