One of the hallmarks of an adult is the realization and embracing of the individual.

Rather than obsessively attempting to fit him or herself into a certain ideal, an adult understands the uniqueness that characterizes each person. We may tend to band together and may share many common experiences and ideas, but no human being thinks exactly like another. To truly achieve something meaningful requires the melding of these different methods of thinking. No human fully function without their liver, or brain, or legs. It takes an integration of all parts to thrive. Solving a complex crisis like the Gulf Oil Spill calls for the application of multiple ways of cognition. Oversimplifying such an incident stunts any true solutions from forming. It is doubtlessly a difficult task to unite many different ways of thinking and varying temperaments, but the results are more fruitful than any one mind can bring about. For an individual, embracing multiple ways of thinking allows for more creative and dynamic processes to occur. While I came to the University of Washington with the idea of following an almost exclusively math and science-oriented track, I have come to recognize my love of the humanities and my desire to study both science and more humanities-based disciplines. Increased specialization will make this a difficult idea to carry out, but I believe that the rewards will make the process worth it. My current balance of science, history, and English seems very logical. It gives a holistic education and I constantly feel stimulated by what I am learning. I hope to continue this balance while studying both microbiology and philosophy. In fact, in my honors application essay, I expressed an interest in studying the brain and in understanding cognition. Microbiolgy and philosophy tie into this idea in different ways. While science can allow us to see into the physical mind, philosophy allows us a more introspective understanding. Neurobiology, a discipline that I once saw as my passion, no longer appeals to me simply because the directions the subject is taking no longer fascinate me as they once did (I am more interested in hormones than in electrical signals.) Now I hope to marry my love of biology with my fascination with philosophy. I hope that studying these topics in conjuncture will leave me with a deep understanding of science and a logical method. More than ever before, my education has become a key tool for enriching my life. I chose these areas of study because my goal is to attend medical school. Whenever I do mention that I am a premed student, the statement is often met with cynical remarks. However, though the idea of the required classes does intimidate me and is a source of stress, my desire remains unshaken. At times I feel like medicine is my purpose. The quarter has been difficult at times and I have

had moments of questioning, but as the new year comes, I have renewed resolve. I must plan for volunteer and research opportunities, must master time management, must work harder than ever on my studies. This is how I can achieve that dream. Interdisciplinary education will serve to make me a better candidate for the complex task of practicing medicine, something that balances science and human interaction. When Frances McCue asked about the humanity of an image, she said something that can be universally applied. Many of us gradually become desensitized to our common bond. At times, we can all forget about our connection to one another and can be distracted by other goals. Ambition is a wonderful thing but can be abused so that we lose a part of our own humanity and fail to recognize the humanity in others. I cannot allow this to happen to me. I must always remember that the reason I chose my path of study was a desire to always recognize this common bond and to help my global family. My own objectives cannot leave me numb to the emotions and pains of others. The interdisciplinary thinking that Professor Taranath addressed is in no way simple. Merging different disciplines well is by far more difficult that simply functioning in one realm. But when done successfully, it leads to a better understanding both of yourself and of the work that you do. This type of thinking encourages extracurricular activity. Rather than just living our lives as students, we need to expand into the community. When different ways of knowing are applied to a real-world setting, we can best see which methods work and which are ineffective. This next quarter, I hope to stretch myself by volunteering at an HIV/AIDS organization, helping with the UW student farm and finding other opportunities in which I am truly interested. If I hope to eventually join the Peace Corps, then I will need the flexibility that multidisciplinary education can provide. When you can understand more than one way of thinking, it is much easier to adjust and adapt your own view, a skill crucial for living in an impoverished foreign country. By graduation, I hope that my portfolio will show not only academic pursuits about which I am passionate, but ample community service, interesting research, and rewarding study abroad opportunities. This college provides an incredible amount of opportunity, and if I am able to take advantage of this, my own microcosm will be the reflection of a fulfilled undergraduate experience.