08/02/2024
GIVING THANKS: Yair F. ’24, Geophysics
When applying to colleges, I knew I wanted to study earthquakes. I’d been fascinated by them since I was 8 years old. I had heard about earthquake research at UC Berkeley, and I am really happy that I made the choice to come here. I’ve had the opportunity to do earthquake research at the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, and I recently worked on a research project with another undergraduate student. Throughout the process we essentially got to act as grad students — working together, brainstorming, discussing and practicing what we presented, presenting our work, and so on. Through these experiences, I’ve found a love for research, especially for solving problems by analyzing patterns and observations.
During a high school tour through UC Berkeley, I got to speak to a group of high schoolers about my research as an undergrad, and one of them asked me: “How does it feel to be doing what you always wanted to do since you were a kid?” I had to take a second before answering because I realized that, for a good while, I’d only been looking ahead and living in the present, keeping my mind busy with my research and the friends I’ve made through this and other activities. I replied: “It really hasn’t hit me yet how far I’ve come and how incredible it is that I am here, but I really enjoy it and I am very happy that I get to do this.” The science is exciting, but I think another role that is just as important is to help inspire people who are like me at their age, and to encourage them to follow their dreams.
Receiving this scholarship has given me an incomparable and irreplaceable ease of mind, and I am very glad that it has allowed me to focus on making the best out of my experience at Berkeley. This scholarship has held open the doors to my future throughout my time here, which gives me a glowing sense of hope. Thank you very much for making it possible for me to be at UC Berkeley. Your generosity is life-changing, and I hope that in the future I am able to give to a new generation, just like you have.
