The Power of Curiosity: Wonder to Wisdom by Monica

The Power of Curiosity: Wonder to Wisdom by Monica - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

As the clock strikes 7:00, my routine begins. Holding my breath as I creep across the wooden floors, my prize awaits: the TV remote. One click and the screen comes to life. My mission is complete; my nightly binge of Curious George has begun. Curious George’s adventures in the city with the Man with the Yellow Hat by his side were the highlight of my Saturday nights. Huddled with my siblings, we would watch in awe as he explored mischief in the city. While the walls of my living room felt limiting, his adventures reminded me of the boundless world awaiting me.

Inspired by his curiosity, I sought my own adventures. Trying random Pinterest recipes, which usually ended in burned dishes and questionable flavors, exposed me to new cuisines, while Saturday mornings at the library introduced me to countless literary worlds. Each adventure I embarked on taught me the joy of discovery. The simplest moments, like talking to a stranger at the grocery store, invites us to learn. Over time, my curiosity shifted from understanding the world around me to understanding the people around me.

I am captivated by understanding why we are the way we are. Every thought and perception we have stems from neurological processes shaped by experience. In a world defined by disconnection, I’m drawn to studying the mind to understand how our neurological processes influence how we learn and interact with the world. Understanding others is vital to truly connect and help each other. I saw how a lack of such understanding affects others every day. Growing up with a traditional Nepali father, his isolation and silence often felt like rejection. Only later did I recognize his behavior as a reflection of his internal struggles with depression—a reality silenced by cultural stigma. Mental health remains taboo in many Nepali communities and around the world, making it difficult for individuals like my father to seek help.

Determined to address this silence, I worked with The Voice Academy in Nepal this past year to bring knowledge on such issues to schools. Collaborating with officials, we developed lectures and pamphlets focused on mental health accessibility. One of the most enriching aspects of service is witnessing its impact. In Bardiya, one of Nepal’s most rural regions, mental health discussions are rare and often dismissed. Yet, with over 300 students attending our lectures, I saw firsthand how awareness fosters change. My frustration transformed into empathy that continues to fuel my unwavering commitment to advocacy—an effort I hope to expand in college. With empathy and an open mind, the same dedication I have to wellness spread among the students of The Voice Academy.

To me, empathy is one of the most important aspects of being human. When I became a tutor during my sophomore year of high school, determined to ignite that same wonder I always felt in my students, I quickly realized the power of empathy. I remember working with a student struggling with division who was completely withdrawn. He would remain silent, with only the furrow of a brow letting me know when something seemed confusing. Nonetheless, I persisted in going over the steps each day. His silence was filled with my lessons, and slowly but surely, his C’s turned to A’s. When he saw his improvement, I watched his apprehension fade into undeniable confidence. From then on, he would excitedly run into class ready to learn. Moments like this reinforce the beauty of education and the transformative power it has. He learned by breaking down steps, but this was not always the case for everybody. One student, Souyen, learned best visually, while Devrath succeeded with a “read and repeat” method.

Learning is not linear, and as an educator, I must constantly adapt my approach to ensure understanding and growth for every student. This epiphany brought me back to Jean Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, which emphasize that learning is a personal journey, shaped by experience and environment. My experiences with neurodiverse students have continued to show me the beauty in our diverse thoughts. By studying cognitive neuroscience and educational development, I aspire to bridge the gap between knowledge and accessibility, fostering environments where curiosity thrives and learning knows no bounds. I hope to eventually become a pediatric neurologist, helping children in their wellness and furthering research on the brain’s plasticity to understand how to improve learning outcomes for students from all backgrounds.

Curiosity has always been my compass. From teaching my mother baking to helping students with multiplication, I understand that the mind is unique. Research in psychology underscores curiosity as a key driver in learning—something I strive to cultivate in others. The more I delve into the complexities of cognition, the more my wonder deepens. In seeking answers, I find more questions. In college, I will continue to seek answers to my boundless questions with those around me. In the words of Jack Johnson from the Curious George soundtrack, “I will let my mind spread its wings; there’s no stopping curiosity. I’ll find the things they say just can’t be found, I’ll share this love I find with everyone.”