Discoveries by Giovanna

Discoveries by Giovanna - February 2019 Scholarship Essay

The dappled sunlight threads through the trees above me. The birds rustle and chirp, and a soft breeze whispers along with them. I step lightly, careful not to disturb the ecosystem around me, searching. I’m looking for tracks, a nest, maybe a special plant, something to point me in the right direction. Once I find it, a settle in, maybe to collect vital data, or wait for an animal to wander through. I am researching a strange and wonderful aspect of the natural world, something aching to be discovered. I am an ecologist, out in the field, hoping to share something new with the world.
It started as a young child, watching BBC documentaries on television. I didn’t understand the science behind what I was seeing, but I marveled at the sweeping landscapes, where organisms of infinite varieties flourished, continuing the legacy of their species in a simple yet unpredictable world.
Later, my fascination with biology increased, and it quickly became one of my favorite subjects at school. By the time I was filling out college applications, I knew I wanted to study ecology, fondly remembering the interconnectedness woven through those old BBC documentaries.
I made sure to find schools renowned for their academics. I wanted to learn from the best, so I could become the best I could possibly be. The bigger the school, the better, so I could meet other perspectives and truly feel like part of a community. I knew I wanted to be in a city, too, because cities have always attracted the best in every field. In a city, my education didn’t have to end once I left the classroom. With the help of a few scholarships and a mountain of dedication, I found myself right where I needed to be.
In college, I worked hard and was thrilled by the hands-on approach of my instructors. I sought an internship, where I got an in-depth look at my studies in action. A study abroad opportunity exposed me to a new way of thinking and an ecosystem unique to my experiences.
Years of dreaming and scheming and everything I’ve done and worked for has brought me here, into the dappled sunlight, living my own documentary as I rediscover the world around me.