Learning
Learning, for me, has never just been about getting through content or memorizing what’s needed for an exam. It’s been about figuring out how I actually think, how I handle uncertainty, and how I turn confusion into understanding. A lot of my growth has come from being pushed into situations where I didn’t feel fully prepared, and then slowly realizing I could adapt, problem-solve, and connect ideas in ways I didn’t expect. Over time, learning has shifted from something I try to “get right” into something more active, something where I’m constantly building, questioning, and making sense of things in a deeper way.
Coursework
Street and Club Dance (Dance 286)
Beyond dance itself, the class reminded me how important creativity, movement, and play are for personal development. In an environment so focused on productivity and achievement, Dance 286 became a space where growth came through joy, expression, and connection rather than performance or outcomes. It helped me realize that prioritizing creativity and the arts is not separate from growth, but connected to it. The class encouraged me to reconnect with parts of myself outside of academics and career goals, and to think more intentionally about who I want to become, not just what I want to accomplish.
Taking Dance 286: Street and Club Dances as an elective ended up becoming one of the most unexpectedly impactful parts of my year. I signed up thinking it would just be a fun class outside of my usual academic routine, but it quickly became much more than that. The course pushed me to confront my own discomfort with vulnerability, especially in spaces where I didn’t feel naturally skilled or confident. Learning unfamiliar styles of movement and dancing in front of others forced me to let go of perfectionism and self-consciousness, and instead focus on simply showing up, trying, and allowing myself to grow.
Study Abroad
