Being at home has felt different recently. I’ve felt like I’ve almost been in a state of limbo, like I’m just waiting for my life to pick up again after finishing sophomore year (I can only watch so much Netflix). I think Yale will be the catalyst I need to get going again. Today, I ran around Austin (my hometown) taking care of some last minute tasks (shopping) before I leave, but I think mental preparation has been the most important in getting ready. I feel like I have been mentally preparing myself the past few weeks to be on my own in New Haven with pep talks, convincing myself: I can do anything! Limitations are created by the mind! I’ve set a goal. By the end of the summer, I would like to go from amateur researcher to reverse-osmotic-semi-permeable-membrane-fouling expert. I am aware, however, that that depends wholly on how I choose to invest my time and effort.
A cultivation of knowledge
Environmental engineering has always been a major to me during my time at Rice University. I think that I have lacked experience in the field to really get a good idea of what to expect from it as a career. I have always been interested in sustainable design and renewable resources and technologies, so having the opportunity to research associated topics independently this summer is incredible. I will be working under a NEWT graduate student, named Humberto, to research better methods and technologies for desalination. That’s a very broad description of it, I know, but I hope to expound on it further throughout the next 7 weeks. I must say that the prestige associated with Yale has weighed over me the past few weeks. The anxiety and nerves from fear of not being knowledgable enough have come and passed. It was our last conference call that made me begin to believe in myself. All of the NEWT interns, including myself, presented on their research topics and Dr. Leautaud began to explain how the internship program is supposed to encourage greater exploration and foster NEWT graduate students. She continued, “I can really see it from you guys,” which made me feel confident in my current and future abilities.
My social realm
Solitude is kind of bittersweet. Sweet in that I enjoy being by myself. Bitter in that it can get lonely. Sometimes I convince myself that I have mild social anxiety when it comes to meeting and conversing with new people, but I quickly get over it once I’m out of my comfort zone. For me, a big aspect of this research opportunity is pushing my boundaries and really getting to know myself and abilities by working in an unfamiliar place. I’m excited to see how I flourish in New Haven and how much I expand my social bubble since I am the only NEWT intern traveling to Yale.
These next few weeks will be a test of knowledge and character and I am eager to detail the coming days that I hope will be filled with learning, adventures, and good food.