After graduating with a B.S. in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of California San Diego, thanks to the assistance of the Mentors Foundation I embarked on a six-month journey to Thailand, living in the heart of Bangkok teaching English to 3rd and 4th graders.

I went to Thailand to enhance my understanding of meditation and spirituality in order to preserve the integrity of future research and clinical work. Further developing my own spirituality in the midst of a huge developing city was a challenge, but after careful consideration, it was exactly where I was meant to be. I studied at the World Buddhist University and participated in various meditation retreats where I gained authentic knowledge from leaders all over the world.

Upon arriving in Thailand, I completed my application to Columbia University with the help of the Mentors Foundation. After interviewing with Columbia’s Dr. Lisa Miller over Skype, I was notified that I got accepted on my last day of living in Bangkok–truly coming full circle. In June 2014, I became part of the first cohort of 15 people in a brand new masters program created by the Spirituality Mind Body Institute through the Clinical Psychology Department at Columbia. I intend on pursuing a PhD afterwards.

I grew up humbly and many people thought traveling and attending an Ivy League school weren’t possibilities for me. I can now say that passion and intention, along with the help of my many mentors, make the seemingly impossible possible. I still have so much to learn, and I look forward to all that is to come on my journey as I pursue my passion.