Before starting college I had never left the U.S.A., and rarely left Texas. I applied to NYU on a whim, never imagining I would ever end up going there as a student! When applying, I selected the option to spend my freshman year in London, and I remember thinking the entire application was a pipe dream. But it wasn’t! After finishing high school in May, I began to prepare to move to London in August. It felt like my whole life was changing, and at first, it was super scary. Two years later, though, as I begin my junior year of college, I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the bravery I had as a freshman. My time in London introduced me to professors, friends and communities who ultimately helped me create a path for myself at NYU.
I spent my sophomore year in New York and was part of an honors program that included an all-expenses paid trip to the UAE during winter break. This class solidified my passion for migration studies and introduced me to my best friends. During my time in Abu Dhabi, I visited museums across the city, tried cuisine from Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, and even got to ride a camel (not so different to riding a horse!).
Then, this past summer, with the help of funding from an NYU fellowship program, I worked in London. This was by far the most rewarding experience I have had abroad. I worked with a human rights group that provided free legal aid to asylum seekers in London. My work felt impactful and I played a legitimate role in the workings of the organization. During my time in London, I rented a room in a house where I lived with a mom (Claire) and her daughter (Freya). Freya, who is 16, has the same birthday as me (June 26). While living with these people, they became like a second family to me.
