“Degajew” is probably the first word you’d hear in Haiti. From Haitian Creole, it translates loosely to “figure it out”, and it’s a model that the Haitian people live by. On my first day of my first visit to Haiti, my family and I needed to find dinner. In Haiti if you say “degojew mange” they will get you food or water no questions asked. You will get invited to dinner with their whole extended family to make sure that you eat. On this first day my family were the ones figuring out the dinner. Driving through the streets, each person had an intimate connection with their community and nature. Whether it was the farmer selling mangos or the butcher with goats and turkey, each one filled a niche within their community. The meal for the night would be turkey, but instead of getting meat, we got a live turkey and put it into the trunk of the car. As the youngest in the family I sat in the backseat as the turkey pecked at my hair. I leaned forward and looked back at the turkey which had chosen to lay down because of the potholes throwing the car around. Whether from the stress or from the heat I distinctly remember seeing that turkey wink at me. That would be the last time I saw it before it made its way onto my plate, my first meal in the home where my father grew up. Growing up my parents always knew someone, whether at the grocery store or on the street we would stop for what felt like hours sometimes to talk to a friend that knew me when I was half my size. Nowhere was this more true than in Haiti, whether it was that same butcher who grew up with my dad or a couple walking down the street that had their wedding cake made by my grandmother and were married in the church by my grandfather, everyone knows everyone. This intimate community made the phrase degajew even more powerful. People would not only figure things out for themselves but also for each other. The next day we got on a tap-tap, the name for taxis, and drove to the beach. This selflessness was infectious, I had never selflessly helped people for the sake of simply figuring it out. Individuals, each unique, see that people will help them for the sake of providing support to others. There is no need to owe yourself to someone or to be expected to do something because when people “degajew” around you and for you they do it in the moment without worrying about anything else other than you. This is a word that I strive to live by and little by little hope to have the independence to figure things out for myself and others. Dégajew is a word that has not only helped me figure myself out but also helped me live in the moment. In a time where people are constantly looking towards the future or reflecting on the past, figuring things out for myself in the moment has given me a unique perspective from the present. Living in a way where I am constantly prepared to face the challenges at hand allows me ironically to think in depth about every aspect of something. By figuring it out, I observe, question and think of a solution to help others regardless of the reason.

Humanity struggles with towing the line between technological advancement and sustainability. Our society continually pushes new innovations even though sustainability and conservation are necessary. From the disappearing ecosystems in California to the eroding wetlands in Louisiana, understanding the gravity of the situation is critical. As a member of the global community, I have the social responsibility to seek out solutions to this urgent issue. With an education from the University of San Diego, I will be able to broaden my knowledge and understanding of sustainability issues not just in Louisiana where I’m from, but across California and the world. USD’s opportunities to study abroad will expose me to the struggles and solutions others have come up with to this universal issue. Growing up speaking French and attending a French immersion school until eighth grade has given me an appreciation for people and the struggles of the international community. This perspective and fluency in French, a language spoken throughout the world, positions me to engage and collaborate with others and find a solution to help the globe. Many study abroad programs offered at USD have a focus on environmental science or sustainability. With an education from USD and becoming a Changemakers coupled with studying abroad in places from France to South Africa to New Zealand, I will be pushed to find a solution to the dilemma of sustainability on both a large global and small communal scale. By working with peers, professors, and community members, I will be prepared to face this challenge.

“Degajew” is probably the first word you’d hear in Haiti. From Haitian Creole, it loosely translates to “figure it out,” and it’s a model the Haitian people live by. On my first day of my first visit to Haiti, my family and I needed to find dinner. In Haiti, if you say “degojew mange,” they will get you food or water, no questions asked. You’ll get invited to dinner with their whole extended family just to make sure you eat. That first day, my family were the ones figuring out dinner. Driving through the streets, everyone had a close connection to their community and nature. Whether it was the farmer selling mangos or the butcher with goats and turkey, each one filled a niche. The meal for the night would be turkey, but instead of meat, we got a live turkey and put it in the trunk. As the youngest in the family, I sat in the backseat while the turkey pecked at my hair. I looked back at it, and it had laid down from the potholes tossing the car around. Whether from the stress or heat, I remember the turkey winking at me. That would be the last time I saw it before it made its way onto my plate—my first meal in the home where my father grew up. Growing up, my parents always knew someone. Whether at the grocery store or on the street, we’d stop for what felt like hours to talk to a friend who knew me when I was half my size. Nowhere was this more true than in Haiti. The butcher had grown up with my dad. A couple walking down the street had their wedding cake made by my grandmother and were married by my grandfather. Everyone knows everyone. This intimate community made the phrase “degajew” even more powerful. People didn’t just figure things out for themselves—they did it for each other. The next day we got on a tap-tap (a taxi) and drove to the beach. On the way, someone’s car broke down, and with the help of a few people, it was pushed uphill and out of the way. By figuring it out together, people build appreciation for others and for themselves. I had never selflessly helped people just for the sake of it. That spirit of care explained my surprise at the closeness between people and animals—there’s love and respect for all living things. Helping others simply because they matter creates community. When people “degajew” for you, they do it in the moment without expecting anything in return. It’s a word I strive to live by. Little by little, I hope to gain the independence to figure things out for myself and others. In a world always rushing toward the future or stuck in the past, figuring things out in the present has given me perspective. By living this way, I observe, question, and solve—not just for myself, but for anyone who needs it.

I always resented music because I was made to love it. My parents joked that I had to practice both instruments before eating; music came first and was prioritized in my life. Hearing classical music on the drive to school made me exhausted from the constant exposure. I would try my best to tune out the noise: from memorizing the bumps in the street, to plugging my ears to making imaginary games to distract myself. Ultimately it was unavoidable, I would be stuck with the looming presence of music for my entire life. The first time I genuinely enjoyed a musical experience was in orchestra because of the connections with people, not the music. Making music became a union of laughter and joy. My friends and I would try to make each other laugh or poke at each other with our bows. I would do anything to make the experience more enjoyable and entertaining. I used music to make intimate connections and friendships that I maintain today. Creating meaningful emotional connections cured my boredom. I never felt the emotional impact of music until I sang in my first and only opera. It was an opera about Emile Griffith. I played the young version of Emile, becoming him through music. A scene from the opera that stuck with me was one where the mother sang passionately and I had to console her. The love expressed through this performance made me genuinely care for the singer and character. My singing reflected that same level of emotion. The power of the music helped me comprehend my emotional state. This was the first time I had experienced this level of empathy for another person, and thanks to music I gained a better understanding of myself. I began to appreciate music for what it could do for me but I still had not looked for music outside of what was given to me. I'll be the first to admit that when I started exploring music on my own my taste was questionable. My personal music curation journey began with songs that I liked off the radio and quickly devolved into a tragic Hamilton era that I still feel the effects of to this day. I finally settled on a wide and chaotic array of music in my catalog from jazz to hip-hop, to bossa nova, and everything in between (except country). My taste in music is always changing, this constant journey allows me to live in a cycle of passionate appreciation. I can see how I felt in the past and how my current feelings continue to evolve. This constant growth is beautiful, it allows me to explore and continue this journey. For a long time playing the cello and piano felt like a chore but with this expanded appreciation for music, I saw the potential to love playing it. Over time I started to hear music differently. The theme from Up (the Pixar movie) captivated me. I learned to play it on both cello and piano and interpreted it to reflect my emotions. Just as I'm able to empathize with others, I ultimately empathize with myself creating a space safe to be vulnerable and listen to how I feel. I fell in love with music because it has helped me fall in love with myself. I now see the value of music in my life and understand its importance in how I view myself and the world. On the way to school, I never take a piece of music for granted because of the people around me and those who have their own journey to tell. As my journey continues, my love for music has only grown stronger and the connections that I have with myself and others will continue to grow. In expressing myself through music, I have been able to hear my feelings.

“Degajew” is probably the first word you’d hear in Haiti. From Haitian Creole, it translates loosely to “figure it out”, and it’s a model that the Haitian people live by. On my first day of my first visit to Haiti, my family and I needed to find dinner. In Haiti if you say “degajew le mange” they will get you food or water no questions asked. You will get invited to dinner with their whole extended family to make sure that you eat. On this first day my family were the ones figuring out the dinner. Driving through the streets, each person had an intimate connection with their community and nature. Whether it was the farmer selling mangos or the butcher down the street with goats and turkey, each one filled a niche within their community. The meal for the night would be turkey, but instead of getting meat, we got a live turkey and put it into the trunk of the car. As the youngest in the family I sat in the backseat as the turkey pecked at my hair. I thanked god for the opportunity to live life freely and with joy in a way that not everyone can. I leaned forward and looked back at the turkey which had chosen to lay down because of the potholes throwing the car around. Whether from the stress or from the heat I distinctly remember seeing that turkey wink at me. That would be the last time I saw it before it made its way onto my plate, my first meal in the home where my father grew up.

I was introduced to animals from a young age, between watching Wild Kratts on TV, my first dog Teddy, and spending my entire pre-Kindergarten school year in a classroom in the Audubon Zoo near the Lorraine the Sun Bear’s habitat, these influences gave me a reason to love nature and seek to understand it. Throughout my life, I have sought out opportunities to connect with nature and with animal and as soon as the Pandemic had lifted, I secured a spot as an intern at the Audubon Nature Institute where I learned about a variety of animals, their behavior, and was trained in interpreting those animals to the public. In high school, I founded the Ecology Club and have worked extensively with the Environmental Science teacher on field work throughout the region. Being able to get out into the field helped to solidify my decision to follow my passion for nature and environmental issues. I am excited to be applying to the SEI because I believe that the program will provide me with deeper and new field work experiences that will expose me to a new region and expand my knowledge. I am also looking forward to learning from and connecting with professionals and from peers who share my passions. Thank you for considering my application. As a proud Changemaker Campus, the USD experience emphasizes changemaking through care for our common home, social justice efforts, civic engagement, social innovation, creativity and a global perspective. Write about one of the challenges facing humanity today. Why does it matter to you? What experiences or insights have you had that speak to the urgency of this issue? Humanity struggles with towing the line between technological advancement and sustainability. Our society continually pushes new innovations even though sustainability and conservation are necessary. From the disappearing ecosystems in California to the eroding wetlands in Louisiana, understanding the gravity of the situation is critical. As a member of the global community, I have the social responsibility to seek out solutions to this urgent issue. With an education from the University of San Diego, I will be able to broaden my knowledge and understanding of sustainability issues not just in Louisiana where I’m from, but across California and the world. USD’s opportunities to study abroad will expose me to the struggles and solutions others have come up with to this universal issue. Growing up speaking French and attending a French immersion school until eighth grade has given me an appreciation for people and the struggles of the international community. This perspective and fluency in French, a language spoken throughout the world, positions me to engage and collaborate with others and find a solution to help the globe. Many study abroad programs offered at USD have a focus on environmental science or sustainability. With an education from USD and becoming a Changemakers coupled with studying abroad in places from France to South Africa to New Zealand, I will be pushed to find a solution to the dilemma of sustainability on both a large global and small communal scale. By working with peers, professors, and community members, I will be prepared to face this challenge.

“Degajew” is probably the first word you’d hear in Haiti. From Haitian Creole, it translates loosely to “figure it out”, and it’s a model that the Haitian people live by. On my first day of my first visit to Haiti, my family needed to find dinner. In Haiti if you say “degojew mange” they will get you food or water no questions asked. You will get invited to dinner with their family to make sure that you eat. On this first day my family were the ones figuring out the dinner. The meal for the night was turkey, but instead of getting meat, we got a live turkey and put it into the trunk of the car. As the youngest in the family I sat in the backseat as the turkey pecked at my hair. I leaned forward and looked back at the turkey which had chosen to lay down because of the potholes throwing the car around. Whether from the stress or from the heat I distinctly remember seeing that turkey wink at me. That would be the last time I saw it before it made its way onto my plate, my first meal in the home where my father grew up. Growing up my parents always knew someone, whether at the grocery store or on the street we would stop for what felt like hours sometimes to talk to a friend that knew me when I was half my size. Nowhere was this more true than in Haiti, whether it was that same butcher who grew up with my dad or a couple walking down the street that had their wedding cake made by my grandmother and were married in the church by my grandfather, everyone knows everyone. This intimate community made the phrase degajew even more powerful. People would not only figure things out for themselves but also for each other. On the way to the beach someone’s car was broken down but with the help of a few people on the street, it was pushed up a hill and to the side of the road. By figuring it out together, each person has a greater appreciation for others and for themselves. This selflessness was infectious. This selfless nature explains my shock seeing the proximity between people and animals, there is a level of care and love for all things that is invaluable. I understood that helping others simply because each person has inherent value creates a community. Individuals, each unique, see that people will help them for the sake of providing support to others. There is no need to owe yourself to someone or to be expected to do something because when people “degajew” around you and for you they do it in the moment without worrying about anything else other than you. This is a word that I strive to live by and little by little hope to have the independence to figure things out for myself and others. Dégajew is a word that has not only helped me figure myself out but also helped me live in the moment. In a time where people are constantly looking towards the future or reflecting on the past, figuring things out for myself in the moment has given me a unique perspective from the present. Living in a way where I am constantly prepared to face the challenges at hand allows me ironically to think in depth about every aspect of something. By figuring it out, I observe, question and think of a solution to help others regardless of the reason.

One of my most memorable biology related experiences was with the Audubon Zoo. My entire Pre-Kindergarten school year was in a classroom in the Audubon Zoo near the enclosure of Lorraine the Sun Bear. Growing up surrounded by animals sparked my love for nature, but it wasn’t until I became an intern at the Audubon Nature Institute that I was able to explore my passion. As soon as the Pandemic had lifted, I secured a spot as an intern at the Audubon Nature Institute, Zoo and Aquarium eager to reconnect with the animals that shaped my childhood. I studied animal behavior, and was trained to interpret their stories and behaviors for the public. Explaining an animal’s unique personalities and biology to visitors and getting to watch their eyes light up with the same curiosity I had as a child was an incredible experience. Having the unique opportunity to explore my early interests solidified my passion for biology. Learning about the creatures I had grown up admiring deepened my appreciation for their complexity, and teaching others made me realize the power of knowledge in fostering conservation. I hope to continue learning about all the animals I loved growing up, and to be able to spread what I learn to others that are just excited as me to learn. I was introduced to animals from a young age, between watching Wild Kratts on TV, my first dog Teddy, and spending my entire pre-Kindergarten school year in a classroom in the Audubon Zoo near the Lorraine the Sun Bear’s habitat, these influences gave me a reason to love nature and seek to understand it. Throughout my life, I have sought out opportunities to connect with nature and with animal and as soon as the Pandemic had lifted, I secured a spot as an intern at the Audubon Nature Institute where I learned about a variety of animals, their behavior, and was trained in interpreting those animals to the public. In high school, I founded the Ecology Club and have worked extensively with the Environmental Science teacher on field work throughout the region. Being able to get out into the field helped to solidify my decision to follow my passion for nature and environmental issues. The Sewanee Environmental Institute program provided me with deeper and new field work experiences that exposed me to a new region and expanded my knowledge. Founding the ecology club and doing hands-on field work has told me that I enjoy the type of work that I want to do in the future. Volunteering at the zoo and aquarium helped me learn to teach others about animals and their importance. This past summer, I went to Sewanee to participate in their Sewanee Environmental Institute and got to learn from faculty about the environment as a whole and in that area of the country specifically.

One of my most memorable biology related experiences was with the Audubon Zoo. My entire Pre-Kindergarten school year was in a classroom in the Audubon Zoo near the enclosure of Lorraine the Sun Bear. Growing up surrounded by animals sparked my love for nature, but it wasn’t until I became an intern at the Audubon Nature Institute that I was able to explore my passion. As soon as the Pandemic had lifted, I secured a spot as an intern at the Audubon Nature Institute, Zoo and Aquarium eager to reconnect with the animals that shaped my childhood. I studied animal behavior, and was trained to interpret their stories and behaviors for the public. Explaining an animal’s unique personalities and biology to visitors and getting to watch their eyes light up with the same curiosity I had as a child was an incredible experience. Having the unique opportunity to explore my early interests solidified my passion for biology. Learning about the creatures I had grown up admiring deepened my appreciation for their complexity, and teaching others made me realize the power of knowledge in fostering conservation. I hope to continue learning about all the animals I loved growing up, and to be able to spread what I learn to others that are just excited as me to learn. Founding the ecology club and doing hands-on field work has told me that I enjoy the type of work that I want to do in the future. Volunteering at the zoo and aquarium helped me learn to teach others about animals and their importance. This past summer, I went to Sewanee to participate in their Sewanee Environmental Institute and got to learn from faculty about the environment as a whole and in that area of the country specifically. I was introduced to animals from a young age, between watching Wild Kratts on TV, my first dog Teddy, and spending my entire pre-Kindergarten school year in a classroom in the Audubon Zoo near the Lorraine the Sun Bear’s habitat, these influences gave me a reason to love nature and seek to understand it. Throughout my life, I have sought out opportunities to connect with nature and with animal and as soon as the Pandemic had lifted, I secured a spot as an intern at the Audubon Nature Institute where I learned about a variety of animals, their behavior, and was trained in interpreting those animals to the public. In high school, I founded the Ecology Club and have worked extensively with the Environmental Science teacher on field work throughout the region. Being able to get out into the field helped to solidify my decision to follow my passion for nature and environmental issues. The Sewanee Environmental Institute program provided me with deeper and new field work experiences that exposed me to a new region and expanded my knowledge.