What is the best thing about being part of the NESCAC?
My favorite part of the NESCAC is the intimate and close-knit community. Wherever I go, I seem to run into people who recognize my Bowdoin gear and immediately have some connection to Bowdoin or another NESCAC school. I love how such a small community can create connections with complete strangers, even when you are far away from campus. It makes being part of the NESCAC feel like being part of a community that extends well beyond college.
What is your dream job/career?
My dream career is to become a doctor. I have always been drawn to medicine because it gives me the opportunity to directly help people and make a meaningful difference in their lives. At the same time, I have always been fascinated by science and the constant advancements being made in medicine. I love the idea of having a career where I can build relationships with people while also continuing to learn and engage with discoveries throughout my life.
What extracurricular activities or service activities do you participate in?
I’m involved with the Athletes of Color Coalition, which creates a space for athletes of color across different teams to connect, share their experiences, and spend time together. I’ve met some of my closest friends through the group and have really enjoyed planning and participating in events. It has taught me how valuable it is to create spaces where people feel comfortable being themselves and learning from one another’s experiences.
I also volunteer at Brunswick Respite Care and MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital. Both experiences have taught me a lot about the importance of compassion, patience, and simply being present for others. They have also given me the chance to step outside of the Bowdoin community and have made me reflect on my own experiences and appreciate the people and opportunities that surround me.
I’m an Organic Chemistry Learning Assistant. I really enjoy helping other students learn and finding different ways to explain concepts that can be challenging. It has taught me that everyone learns differently and that being a good teacher often means being patient and willing to approach the same problem from a new perspective. I also find that every time I help someone else understand a concept, I deepen my own understanding as well.
Looking back on your college years, what are you most proud of?
Looking back on my college years, I’m most proud of the connections I’ve made with my friends, teammates, peers, and professors. More than any individual accomplishment, I value the relationships I’ve built and the people who have shaped my experience at Bowdoin and abroad. I know these are connections that will stay with me long after I graduate and am really excited to see how they’ll continue after college!
What’s your go-to warm-up song?
Freedom by Pharrell Williams
If you weren’t playing your sport, what other sport would you want to try?
Sumo Wrestling. I don’t know how good I’d be but I think it’d be a fun, niche sport to try.
Have you studied abroad during your collegiate experience?
I studied abroad in Kyoto, Japan, where I studied Japanese language and history. It was an incredible opportunity to immerse myself in the culture and experience Japan in a way that I never had before. Being able to learn about Japanese history and language in the places where that history actually took place made the experience especially meaningful.
Spending a semester outside of Bowdoin also gave me a lot of perspective. Experiencing a different academic environment and way of life pushed me outside of my normal routine and allowed me to think more about my own background, values, and experiences. I came back to Bowdoin with a greater appreciation for my time there and a broader perspective that I know I’ll carry with me after college.
What internships/research projects have you participated in?
I worked as a summer research intern at the National Cancer Institute’s Experimental Immunology Branch and as a clinical research intern in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Children’s National Hospital. Through these experiences, I learned how important teamwork and collaboration are in both medicine and science. I also had the opportunity to work at the cutting edge of research and patient care, which strengthened my interest in pursuing a career that combines science with directly helping others.
What is your favorite place on your campus?
My favorite place on campus is Thorne Dining Hall. Taking the time to sit down, eat, and talk with my friends and teammates is one of the things I value most about college. Whether we’re having a serious debate or just a ridiculous dinner conversation, I always seem to make some of my favorite memories around the dinner table.
What is something you enjoy doing when not in class or competing in your sport?
I really enjoy taking advantage of everything Maine has to offer. Whether it’s spending time at the beach, exploring the coastline, or enjoying the New England fall, I love getting outside and appreciating the scenery. Maine is such a beautiful place, and exploring it has become one of my favorite ways to spend my free time.
What skill do you have that has nothing to do with your sport?
I am able to eat an incredibly large quantity of food.
