I entered YYGS confused and uncertain about what career path I should follow. I had always liked neuroscience, but I never considered studying it. Until I met instructor Maddy Lee. She started the “Neuroscience and the Pursuit of Happiness” seminar with mind-bugging questions, she opened up debates, and later on, she blew my mind. She was able to convey to me so much information in such a little time. I left that seminar amazed, inspired, and proud. I felt proud because it seemed like my life had led me to that very seminar to discover myself. I am now applying to universities to study neuroscience, and I can easily say it is all thanks to YYGS, particularly Maddy Lee.
When I was younger, I would play the piano every day. I could play it since I can remember. However, it was always merely a hobby, one that I practiced less and less by the year. Growing up, I started to focus more on science, and slowly I forgot about the arts and their importance. So, as a goal for the last year of high school, I set to explore my artistic side more.
In November, I applied to a film school in my country. The film industry has just begun to grow in my country. Now, I get to contribute to it. In late December, I got accepted, and as of the 3rd of January, I will start the first winter camp of the DokuFest Film School. I am part of the camerawork and photography team. As a group of 20 passionate young adults, we have taken the initiative to create a movie about violence against women. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the cases reported of violence against women have increased, and we are working to make people aware of this undershadowed pandemic of its own.
In August of 2021, a friend of mine, 18 years of age, was sexually assaulted and killed by her own partner. I could not help her, but I will do everything in my power for such a case to not be repeated. This film I am making is just the first step I am taking towards change.