The experiences I had in South Africa have changed my life entirely.

As a first-generation college student, I was terrified to leave the country and fly across the world by myself. I had never even been near an ocean before this. I pushed myself to do it, but because of these first-gen struggles, I felt way too far behind everyone else.

After arriving, I realized there were 2 other girls in my same boat — first time flying internationally AND seeing the ocean. It was a real relief. I can't encourage first-generation students enough to take the risk and just go. You will never experience cultures fully if it's through movies and television. Seeing an entirely new side of the world is unforgettable.

I have always pictured my life in Michigan. I thought that I would be satisfied here. After leaving for a little bit and loving it, I fully believe that I can go anywhere and do anything. Exploring the world and realizing that I would absolutely love to live there and immerse myself in their culture has broadened my horizons more than I imagined to be possible.

I really found my passion in Africa. I always knew that I wanted to work with animals, then through college it narrowed down to aquatic life, then Africa solidified that working for the ocean and marine animals is my calling. Through SCUBA diving with these incredible animals, it showed me an entirely new world that I never thought I would get to experience. I can't forget the feeling of the very first dive — masks on, regulators in mouth, the slight current and smell of salt, the countdown from 3-1 that would alter the course of the rest of my life. Facing down in the water after rolling backwards off the boat, I felt a full body rush of joy. I got to stare down at the reef, descending closer and closer to it as my dive buddy and I released air from our buoyancy control devices. It was completely quiet. Not the kind of quiet where you search for sound, but the kind where you quietly observe people walking in a city from inside a coffee shop. But this time, the people are fish, the coffee shop is the Indian

• Name: Lyric Pingilley
• Status: Senior
• Major: Environmental Biology/Zoology
• Hometown: Warren, Michigan
• Program: Marine Biology Internship in South Africa