To officially kick off this
summer’s collection of blog posts, I thought that I would say that the slight
apprehension I felt due to my late arrival could not have been more
unnecessary. It has been my absolute pleasure to experience both the undeniable
warmth and unique personalities of the program’s students, supervisors, and the
locals of Menomonie. Prior to coming here, I did not know a week could be so
jam-packed with new experiences. Each day has a solid combination of hard work, good times, and the beginnings of my own
personal growth as I go further beyond my comfort zone. Since I consider myself
to be a naturally introverted person, it has been quite the change to
constantly surround myself with people who come from different backgrounds but
share the same passions. To realize there are others who are firmly committed
to promoting conservation, taking environmental action, and supporting the
diversity and inclusion of others has been one of the most positive aspects of
the internship so far.
I also believe that splitting
research time between separate teams and group discussion is an effective
method for promoting a more integrative approach to the sciences. I have found
that receiving feedback from students and mentors who are not members of the
biology research team has been helpful, as it has allowed me to consider a
myriad of perspectives. Within my own research team, I have found the
collaborative efforts of mentor and students to be exciting, with greater
development of our focus as we dive into the scientific literature. Finally,
within Menomonie, I have found that the spirit of the town is unlike that of
Cincinnati, and I am eager to spend more time here. I look forward to the
remainder of the program, and hope to foster a greater number of both
professional and personal connections.
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