I walked into Nemerov House with hesitation. I dragged my foot a little extra; no smile in sight. I was scared. Moving in with a new group of people, knowing I had to spend two weeks with them, was terrifying. I was also grossly unmotivated. In the months since applying, I had become increasingly hesitant about my career in conservation, feeling as though we were moving in circles. 

I woke up looking forward to open discussion, learning, and talking about ideas I have loved since I was a little kid.

Everything changed the next day when I woke up. My roommates greeted me with smiles, and we walked to our Environmental Studies Institute class together. Over the next week, meeting and working with Professor Hanes and my other classmates was truly inspiring. I woke up looking forward to open discussion, learning, and talking about ideas I have loved since I was a little kid. I discovered outlets to help my community and planet, even applying to local conservation groups.

Although I loved the class setting, I also cherish the memories I made with the other people in the program. My roommates and I spent countless nights up until midnight watching movies and trying our best to complete a Disney princess puzzle, playing Uno and talking about our lives outside of the program.

But most importantly, I left inspired.

After two weeks, I left Nemerov House, dragging my feet a little extra, but for a different reason. I was sad to leave the people and education I had begun to love. Through this program, I was able to become friends with people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I left with friends from Singapore, Arizona, and Georgia. But most importantly, I left inspired. Meeting people who cared about the same issues as myself reignited my passion from my childhood. I was no longer doubting my path to college and conservation; I knew I was ready. 

This essay is the winning submission from our 2025 Student Reflection Essay contest.