Time Flies When You're Having Fun! by Ishani Bansal

Greetings humans! My name is Ishani Bansal, a sophomore at Upper Merion Area High School. I’m so excited to be a part of TRIP_WTHS’23! I initially applied to TRIP because I wanted to gain research experience and improve my skills in the lab. 

My favorite subject is biology and I’m very interested to explore which type of career that would entail for my future. I was really nervous walking in for the first day yesterday, especially when I thought I took a wrong turn trying to find the lab. I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to bond well with any of my peers and that I wouldn’t be able to perform at the same level as everyone else. However, one jelly donut and very frustrating icebreaker activity later, I already felt like I belonged. Despite meeting for the first time, everybody was very friendly with each other and I felt an instant connection with my group. ​

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I still had my awkward first day moments, like picking up the wrong micropipette and my nervous stuttering, but I genuinely felt like my group members were understanding and didn’t seem to mind. ​

A lot of my friends at school don’t share the same passions and interests as me, so I’m really looking forward to being a part of a science community with my new friends. In school, I’m involved in many extracurriculars, like the Math Team, Science Olympiad Team, Gardening Club, CAST club, and school newspaper. I’ve been swimming for over a decade now and I joined my school’s water polo team this year. Outside of academics, I like practicing taekwondo (I’m going for my black belt, wish me luck!), math, sleeping, eating, and watching Attack on Titan. I’m a relatively new anime fan, so I’m open to any suggestions, too! 

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More than anything, I’m really looking forward to learning and growing from my mistakes.

More than anything, I’m really looking forward to learning and growing from my mistakes. I like to think of this as a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to do something I’ve never really tried before. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the program has in store for me, and I’ll be sure to make lots of memories with the best session ever!