As a child, before smartphones became a major part of everyday life, I developed a passion for photography. I especially enjoyed travel photography and capturing moments from the places I visited. Whether it was a historic landmark, a unique building, or a beautiful landscape, I loved finding the right angle and lighting to create a memorable photograph. Photography allowed me to see the world differently and helped me develop an eye for detail and creativity at a young age.
As I grew older and entered college, my interests began to expand. I developed a strong passion for nonprofit and humanitarian work to make a positive impact on the lives of others. I became interested in how organizations address social issues, support vulnerable communities, and create meaningful change. At the same time, I discovered a passion for media, particularly marketing, writing, and communications. I enjoyed learning how messages are created, shared, and used to connect with people.
As someone who was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, I often faced challenges with social cues and communication. There were times when understanding social situations did not come naturally to me, and I sometimes struggled to fit in with my peers. However, these challenges also helped me develop resilience and self-awareness. Over time, I learned to embrace my strengths, including my creativity, attention to detail, and determination.
Looking back, photography, writing, media, and humanitarian work all share a common theme: they allow me to connect with people and better understand the world around me. Discovering these talents helped shape my goals and continues to influence the path I want to pursue in the future.
One of the experiences that helped me discover my interests was my first trip to Europe at eighteen. During the summer after my junior year of high school, I spent five weeks in Rome completing volunteer work required for graduation. While there, I worked with a group of volunteers helping to care for cats at a shelter. Beyond the volunteer work itself, the experience gave me the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds, build friendships, and experience a new culture for an extended period.
My Time Abroad
That trip helped me realize how much I enjoyed connecting with people and contributing to causes larger than myself. It also strengthened my interest in humanitarian and nonprofit work. I became increasingly interested in organizations that bring people together, support communities, and work toward positive social change.
What inspires me most about nonprofit and humanitarian work is the idea of solidarity and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Over time, as I explored my own beliefs and perspectives, I found inspiration in individuals and organizations working to promote dialogue, peace, and understanding. Seeing people from different backgrounds work together toward common goals reminded me that I was not alone in my desire to build connections and contribute to a better future. One of my favorite organizations is Standing Together that fights for equality for Jews and Palestinians in the State of Israel and abroad.
Solidarity Interest and Potential Work. Logo Credit: https://www.standing-together.org/en
These experiences helped shape my interests in both humanitarian work and communications. They showed me the importance of listening to others, sharing stories, and using my skills to connect with people in meaningful ways.
When it came time to choose a major in college, I found myself drawn to Education Studies. While some people associate education solely with teaching, I saw it as something much broader. I was interested in understanding how people learn, how communities are supported, and how social change can be achieved through education and advocacy.
Education Studies felt like the closest fit to my interests in nonprofit and humanitarian work. Many nonprofit organizations focus on education, community development, youth programs, and social services. I wanted to learn skills that could help me work in those areas in the future.
I was also excited that the major allowed me to explore topics related to communications and media through elective courses. My interests have never been limited to one field. Instead, I have always been drawn to the intersection of education, communications, and social impact. I enjoy learning how ideas are shared, how people connect with one another, and how organizations can use storytelling to create positive change.
Choosing Education Studies was not just about selecting a major; it was about finding a path that connected many of the interests and values that I had developed throughout my life.
Part of the reason I became interested in nonprofit and humanitarian work comes from my own experiences growing up. As someone diagnosed with autism at a young age, there were many times when I felt different from the people around me. I often struggled to relate to others and sometimes felt unseen or misunderstood. There were moments when I felt like an outcast because I had difficulty connecting with my peers the way others seemed to.
Those experiences were challenging, but they also shaped my perspective. They helped me develop empathy for people who feel excluded, overlooked, or unheard. Because I know what it feels like to struggle with belonging, I have always been drawn to causes that focus on inclusion, community, and support for others.
Over time, I realized that many people experience feelings of isolation for different reasons. Whether because of their background, beliefs, identity, or personal circumstances, everyone wants to feel seen and valued. This understanding is one of the reasons I became interested in nonprofit and humanitarian work. I want to contribute to organizations and communities that help people feel supported and connected, not alone.
