"i'm not going to let the actions of one person keep me from doing what i want to do"

This is going to be a pretty serious post. 

As I mentioned in my Global Degree video, I was assaulted over the summer while volunteering in Costa Rica on my first international trip alone, right after receiving an emergency abdominal surgery and while I was under general anesthesia. 

This is something that not a lot of people know. I've made a pretty big effort up until now to maintain that I was completely fine, only confiding in my close friends and very few family members about what had happened to me. I debated for a long time about whether or not to include this information in my video, and eventually left it in. To be honest, at first I was worried that being the youngest contestant and one of the more inexperienced travelers would be concerning to Michael and Alex, I didn't want them to feel like they would have to babysit me if I was selected. Telling the world, telling people I don't even know, has been one of the scariest things I've ever done. 

But I'm glad I did now, and I know that I needed to. 

I shared the fact that I am a survivor of assault with the world because in getting my global degree, I wanted to restore faith and inspire women everywhere, myself included. Unfortunately, this happens to a lot of women, about one in three in the USA, and many more cases go unreported. I hoped that if I was successful in receiving my global degree, I would be able to confirm for myself that the world is a good and beautiful place, and that the actions of one person cannot drag me down. I refuse to let the world end for myself and I refuse to give up my dreams because one terrible thing happened. I hoped in doing this I would inspire other woken to do the same. I wanted to show women everywhere that it is possible to pick up the pieces and pursue your passions, even after you've been hurt. 

I've already been able to begin to do this, and the contest isn't even over yet. 

The amount of support I have been able to give and receive from people I know (not necessarily super well) has been mind blowing. I've had people come to me with their own stories of surviving and telling me that they've been inspired to go out and see the world, make that move they've been afraid to make, and take risks again. I have no words for how incredible this has been and I want to thank each and every one of these women for reaching out to me. 

And a note to women who dream but have been afraid to do: 

The world is a beautiful amazing place, and a vast majority of its inhabitants are beautiful and amazing too. The world is much safer than you'd think. 

There will be hard nights but trust me when I say they will become few and far between. 

Don't let the terrible actions of one person diminish your wonder. 

You are wonderful, you are inspiring. You have unlimited potential, and nothing can stop you from doing what you want to do   . There will always be a network of support available to you no matter where you go, even if it can be a little hard to see at first. Hopefully this post can be a step in building a network of love and support in the way that this constest has already begun to unify women from all over the globe. 

I hope to show you all through earning my global degree that we as women can do it. 

If you'd like to watch my video and vote, visit the link below:

http://www.globaldegree.tv/#!contestants/c1gzb

Make sure to like Global Degree on facebook/follow on Twitter so that your vote or share counts! Feel free to share and tell Michael and Alex why I'm the woman for the job! The contest ends tomorrow!

And if anyone needs support, a listening ear, or direction to resources, please reach out to me. <3

-Nish

Xoxo

"i threw myself into academics because i thought that was the only thing you could do"

Hi loves!

As a lot of you already know, I am the youngest contestant in the running for a "full ride" to get her Global Degree: a journey to every UN recognized country over the course of four years, starting in eastern Asia and the South Pacific!  I've put a link to my video application at the end of this post, which explains my personal reasons for wanting to apply but I thought I would take some time with this post to explain why I think the Global Degree is such an amazing concept for everyone.

As I talk about in my video, I graduated high school at the age of sixteen after throwing myself headfirst into my academics. While I don't regret pushing and challenging myself through that process, I DO regret not taking time in high school to discover things I'm passionate about and to figure out what I want to do with my future. I had all of this drive and motivation, and focused it entirely into my classes and academics because I didn't realize there were other options.

That's where the Global Degree comes in.

This project, and the fact that it's being documented through a web series (which has been picked up by the Discovery Channel, you guys, this is legit!!!) are trailblazing a path for men and women of all ages to discover alternative methods of educating themselves. As an intended intercultural communications major, there's no better way to learn than by communicating in different cultures! Throwing yourself into Nepal, for example, and meeting the people there and learning about what makes them tick will leave you with much more lasting knowledge than reading about Nepal in a textbook (and will undoubtedly create amazing memories). This isn't just applicable to a major that's globally focused: experiential learning is the most effective way to develop an understanding: what better way to learn about pelagics like sharks than hopping on a boat in South Australia to monitor them first hand? Lab sciences take into account the importance of experiential learning, but it seems as though there's much more that can be done.

If I'm selected as the newest member of the Global Degree team, I have plans to partner with four classrooms (at the moment, I am totally open to adding a few more to that list though!). The kids i would be talking to range from 3rd-7th grade, and I plan to answer any questions that the kids have over Skype or FaceTime. I'm doing this for a lot of different reasons: obviously if I am lucky enough to have this experience, it's important to share that with my community, but I think talking with the kids will have a myriad of other benefits. Even though we can't all drop everything to travel right now (for a variety of reasons) I think partnering with the classrooms is the next best thing. As the fourth and fifth graders are learning about different cultures, geography, and their own heritage, they would be able to ask questions. Kids are curious! I think this would also show younger students that there are other options besides what's emphasized in the current US education system. It's both important and incredibly healthy to explore your passions while you are younger. You don't have to focus only on your academics or go right to a four-year college, locally, there are so many experiences to be had! Many countries have work-holiday visas for long term stays, there are gap years, they can get started on their Global Degree! And if they do decide to go the traditional educational route, hopefully the partnership experience will spark a desire to study abroad during their young adulthood. 

Go out. See the world. There's ALWAYS a way to make it happen, and even funds set aside specifically to help you fund your adventures! We should all strive to earn our Global Degree and gain the ultimate education.

As promised, here is the link to my video:

http://www.globaldegree.tv/#!contestants/c1gzb 

To vote, make sure to like or follow Global Degree, then visit the contestants with the last names T-Z. I'm the very last video, please show it some love! If you have any questions about the program or need advice in beginning your own travels please reach out to me.

Thank you for all your support!

-Nish

xoxo