Growing up in Pittsburgh, my sisters and I always enjoyed imaginary adventures in our backyard. Whether it was the wild sea for our giant pirate ship, the unexplored forest of Native American Indians, or the African plains filled with dangerous lions, our backyard was always the place for mystery and excitement. Those imaginary adventures are some of my favorite childhood memories that define who I am today. Since those days, I have had the opportunity to explore many new horizons. When I abandoned my ambition to become a professional ballerina, I discovered endless opportunities at Northwestern University. Sailing on the Northwestern Sailing Team, enrolling in the MMSS program, and working as a camp counselor are just some of the adventures that I have had over the past several years. International travel has been an important part of this exploration. Previous trips to Beijing, Amsterdam, Florence, Paris, and London have exposed me to unique cultures and experiences. This fall, my backyard will be India.