A Wild Ride by Marissa

A Wild Ride by Marissa - May 2023 Scholarship Essay

If someone had asked me a year ago what I would major in, I either would have said "undecided" or "biology," depending on the level of confidence I was experiencing that day. It has been a wild ride -- literally and figuratively. I could not have foreseen where I am now: I am entering my sophomore year at Asbury University as a double major in Equine-assisted Services and Psychology.

Equine-assisted Services is one of the most unique majors in the world. In fact, Asbury University is the only university that offers a bachelor's degree in that field. I could go into so much detail about this rapidly growing field, but in simple terms, I am learning how to partner with horses to offer a variety of therapies and adaptive activities for people with a disability of any kind. Pairing my two majors will allow me to either provide mental health services specializing in incorporating horses into sessions or go into research to help the developing field of Equine-assisted Services to flourish through more proof of its effectiveness.

Now, why? Why did I choose these two fields of study, with their novelty, unknowns, and hard work? First, I want to serve others. My parents have lived as role models for me, and I have seen the blessings they have been to others they served, and I want to continue that. Majoring in Equine-assisted Services leads me to a hands-on career that aids those with physical disabilities or mental handicaps. Psychology, too, puts me in a fantastic position to help those struggling with mental disabilities. And if I choose to go into research, my findings would likely allow the Equine-assisted Services field to spread, thus giving more opportunities for people to heal in the presence of horses. My second reason for choosing these majors is simple yet life-giving: they are fun. They require a lot of hard work, but they are exciting. I have grown dramatically in my riding skills in the last year and had the time of my life riding wildly around an arena -- I only fell off once -- and learning about how mine and others' brains work is fascinating! Every time my psychology class starts another chapter, I am excited to read my textbook and learn something novel and unexpected. Who knew homework could be anything but boring?

Even on the days that are not fun -- my heart breaks over learning of the evil some have committed, or I am overwhelmed by the challenges ahead in my studies -- I remind myself of the greatest reason for my efforts: to help those struggling to live this life on earth. It can be challenging, and things might not go as expected, but I also want to show people that life's adventures can be worth it, even as hurt parallels the joy. Life can be wild; you might as well ride horses and smile as you race through it.