Attending college was never a priority on my list of life achievements post high school graduation, and most certainly not studying abroad.

At the time, I had no interest in pursuing a higher education, for not only did I have no clue as to what I would even study, but I also wanted to have an unconventional start to the rest of my life. I was fortunate enough to have parents who not only trusted me enough to make my own decisions, but also gave me alternative of taking a gap year to work for them as a "kickstarter" partner in their self-entrepreneurship international business project my dad created a mere year ago (my mom holds a regular 9 to 5 job, but helps on the side). Since the project's initiation, my dad has spent most of his time traveling for his new business, both in domestic and international sectors. Thus, accepting this offer would mean that I would have the chance to spend my gap year traveling abroad throughout six continents.

It was an enticing offer, but I was uncertain if I wanted to risk tainting the relationship we have as a family by adding in that sense of professionalism, and I did not know how much 'family' time spent as business partners I could handle. Plus, while it was true that I could use this chance to network with professionals in the workforce, I knew that at the end of the day, my craving for human connection on a more appropriate age level would conquer any desire to interact with longtime adults, despite however practical and beneficial that would be.

So when I made the last-minute decision to apply to schools, I wasn't seeking much other than a way to network with people my age. Even though I was still unsure about what I wanted to study, I chose Environmental Science. I've always held a strong interest in environmental sustainability; growing up, I spent my summers designing and then maintaining a composting bin to supply fresh, homemade, nutrient-enriched soil for our box gardens, and even built a hydroponics gardening system as my senior project during my last year of high school.

Along with being a full-time college student, I'm also in my school's World Scholars Program, within which I've had the opportunity to study abroad during my first semester of college in New Zealand (peep the cover photo) and will have once again during my junior year in another country, supplemented by engaging in activities with a global focus both on and off campus.

I still sometimes wonder if I made the right choice to attend college, but I'm happy with my experience thus far. I don't have any regrets regarding my decision to attend college and not my family business (besides, perhaps, the gorgeous photos my dad sends to the family group chat of him in Rome or Kuala Lumpur or Dubai that make me wish I was there and not studying for my math quiz the following morning). For in my eyes, being a World Scholar at my college gives me the best of both travel and peer networking.

I'm not sure if it's safe to say that my parents are proud of who and where I am now, and sometimes I worry if they're disappointed that I turned down their offer. But they remind me to experience each moment to its ultimate enjoyment, for they never had the same opportunities as I did growing up, in terms of education and beyond. They tell me that no matter what kind of situation I'm in, I must never forget to maintain my strong senses of resilience, moral, and support for others, because that is how I can keep my core values close to me and not let anybody or anything change me for the worse.

And I am, always.