My interest in seeing the world and exploring new places is something that I feel like I was born with. However, I would say it truly started when I decided to attend college in the Caribbean. Throughout high school, a big goal of mine was to leave Wisconsin and study in a new place. After lots of research, I decided to get my bachelor’s degree at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). Although I knew I would be giving up the comforts of home and being close to family and friends, there was something exciting to me about adventuring to a new place on my own. During my three years at UVI, I loved meeting new people from different parts of the world, exploring different islands and immersing myself in Caribbean culture. I had opportunities to take unique classes, learn how to scuba dive and help conduct research! After I graduated, I knew I wasn't ready to close the chapter on living in new places.
This eagerness for adventure and my passion for helping others led me to apply to the Peace Corps. I remember hearing about the Peace Corps as a child and thinking it was something I wanted to do one day. Now that I'm in it, it’s really special to reflect back on that time when I knew so little about what was to come for me.
