Submission Number: 480
Submission ID: 1617
Submission UUID: 1d86ab7f-7c8e-4679-9d11-039b10b9cd6e

Created: Sat, 03/15/2025 - 21:43
Completed: Sat, 03/15/2025 - 21:47
Changed: Tue, 05/06/2025 - 06:41

Remote IP address: 2601:1c0:4d82:4df0:6604:7061:203c:7328
Submitted by:Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No
{Empty}
Addison
Van Epps
She/Her
West Linn
Oregon
United States of America
97068
Creative Technology and Design
English (5), French (3)
My Dad is in the U.S. Army, and has been for my entire life. Throughout my childhood, I moved nearly every year. I lived all over the U.S., and even outside of it (Spain and Germany). Since I was born, I have lived in 11 different places-- nine states and three countries.The frequent moves due to my dad's job have allowed me to immerse myself in many different cultures and environments. On top of all the places I've lived, my family has always had an affinity for travel. One of my most memorable recent travel experiences was in 2022 when my family visited Tanzania. Going there was such a unique experience and one that I will never forget. The general atmosphere during the trip was radically different from anything I'd experienced before, and I really enjoyed learning about and engaging with this new culture.
My love for travel isn't going away any time soon, and I'm excited to be visiting Japan next week for spring break.
Having unique and unfamiliar experiences allows you to notice problems that you were blind to before. If you don't know a problem exists, because you aren't personally affected by it, you'll never even consider potential solutions. While in Tanzania, my family and I visited a small village. They didn't have any electricity, so once the sun went down it was near impossible for them to do anything in the darkness. We provided them with small solar-powered lights-- a huge improvement from their prior situation, but not an ideal long-term solution. It got me thinking about potential alternatives, and I think that's exactly why it's important to experience the world from many different perspectives. You need to see the problems--preferably first-hand--to be able to try and solve them.
I believe being a part of the RAP at 91´«Ã½ would help me in feeling like a part of the community faster as I transition into college life. I'd be surrounded by like-minded people who are interested in engineering, travel, and global affairs, just as much as I am. I would be better able to connect with my new peers in a more tight-knight, smaller environment, helping with much of the stress that comes with the first year in college.