Costa Rica-Pura Vida

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

Costa Rica | Sunday, January 13, 2013 | 5 photos

I was never raised to be an average person. Since I was a child, I have been encouraged to explore, to self-express, to take myself out of my comfort zone to the end of further extending it. This manifested in a passionate interest in world cultures, leading me to major in Middle East Studies at The George Washington University.

The Middle East has always been of special importance to me, solely due to the fact that I feel there is hope for the region. I am convinced that in this ever-shrinking world, we will find a way to make fit together the sometimes incompatible puzzle pieces that are the various countries and nations of the Middle East. However, after four years of study, it became clear that I was not meant to sit in an office talking about the region, rather I should be in the thick of the actual events and goings-on.

I take pictures because I believe in the power of the succinct, speechless awe one can inspire in someone from a single frame. I believe in the power and efficacy of storytelling. Finally, I believe that I have been training my mind since I was a child for just such an opportunity as this, and I am ready and excited to continue to train my eye to match.