If you think you can do it, you can. — John Burroughs
South Bristol, Maine (6/12/22)
If you asked anyone close to me what my post-grad plans were a few months ago, they would enthusiastically tell you that I am planning to pursue a degree in environmental law starting this fall. Flash forward to now and I am on a completely different—and admittedly much more difficult to explain—trajectory that is going to push me out of my comfort zone, take me across multiple continents, and expose me to new ways of thinking.
What gives?
I have always wanted to travel, but I always thought this was a task for my future self. Much like the approach I once embraced toward pursuits as fundamental as happiness, fun, and rest, I put off traveling so that I could spend the present moment focusing on the future and preparing myself for the next chapter. While this mentality was beneficial for my academics and extracurricular life at Bard, it often left me feeling burnt out, left behind, and overwhelmed. I was delaying living my life to the fullest because I believed that focusing on long-term outcomes was more important. Now, I think differently.
Throughout my time at Bard, I remember hearing about the Watson Fellowship and thinking about how amazing (albeit unattainable and scary) it sounded. During an event at the end of my Freshman Year, Harry Johnson (Watson Fellow '17) spoke about his experiences on the Watson, sharing how life-changing and eye-opening it was to take his passion and explore how it manifests across the world. I was enthralled and inspired by Harry's words, and I jotted down "apply to Watson Fellowship" on a slip of paper and stuffed it in my pocket. This was the first time I heard about the Watson, and my fascination with this opportunity never left my head.
Despite my initial enthusiasm, I was on the fence about applying for a Watson at the beginning of my Senior Year. Given the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, my plans to attend law school, and the various fears I had about spending a year abroad in places, cultures, and circumstances I was not used to, I began to talk myself out of it. What would my family think? Was I even capable of doing something like this? How would this complicate my future plans? Overcoming self-doubt and believing in myself was half of the battle. I wanted to win a Watson, I just had to convince myself that I was worthy and capable. Luckily, I decided to send in my application, and the rest is history. As I told friends and family: "This opportunity terrifies me and will push me to change, grow, and challenge my worldview. That is why I have to apply and I have to try. Why not take the risk?"
I know for certain is that I will return from my Watson Year a changed person, that very few people are fortunate enough to have this incredible opportunity, and that the Watson is going to expand my imagination, skills, and knowledge. I am ready for this, capable of this, and will find a way to make this year one of the most influential and fulfilling ones I have ever experienced. I cannot wait to embark on this journey, and I am so excited to share about my adventures!
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