I have honed my skill of asking for help when I need it, such as when I get lost exploring some place new or when I don't know how to do something in the lab. These skills were uncomfortable to practice at first because they made me nervous or frustrated, but my practice paid off, and, now, these skills help me every day!
When I head back to the U.S., I'll be taking way more than just my suitcases. I'll be taking home my new skills, new ideas for research projects and new perspectives on the world. One thing I really admire about Australians is how much they value their work-life balance. They go to work, get their work done efficiently, and then they go home and enjoy time outside with friends and family. This has encouraged me not to take work home and to enjoy my days off without worrying about my research or responding to emails. In short: I hope to bring this balance home with me to the U.S.
I am so grateful to have shared this experience with you all! I hope you enjoyed exploring the wildlife, riding trains, talking to friends and going to festivals with me! I appreciate your enthusiasm for science, and I hope you carry that curiosity and excitement with you forever! I encourage you to courageously pursue experiences like mine, which will likely take you outside your comfort zone: it could be studying abroad in high school or college, applying for fellowships like Fulbright or learning something new in your community! Challenging yourself allows you to grow in ways you can't even imagine. I want to leave you with a quote from J. William Fulbright, the U.S. Senator who created the Fulbright Scholarship that has provided me with this opportunity.
