I write this after just getting back, Friday night, playing basketball with a lot of the SEED interns. This is the second time we have played and this is one of the highlights of SEED. The rawness of not talking engineering, no stress, pure fun, no skill, and blood pulsing makes you feel alive. Tomorrow, the international interns leave to go back to their respective homes: Abubakr and Chif to Malawi; Florence to Tanznia; Ayoo and Bolu to Nigeria. As I left from basketball and said my goodbyes, I realized that as they leave, a part of me leaves as well. Seven weeks is a long time straight with people, and even just the four to five weeks that they were here in person was enough to leave a lasting impression on me. Florence finally scored a layup 🙂 I think when combined with the fact that this was my first internship, the international students made this experience so much more emotional for me (I am crying right now). Each of them taught me something that I cannot forget anytime soon. Bolu, to be confident in yourself. Ayo, to speak your thoughts, voice your opinion. Chif, that there is strength in solidarity and a silent type of wisdom that is invaluable. Abubakr, that you don’t need to say much to speak volumes, and that people will listen. Florence, keep trying something until you get it. From hearing about their homelands, their cultures, their traditions, I learned more than just how to approach an engineering problem “correctly”.

As for the rest of the interns from here at Rice, the bonds I formed with them I hope to nourish and keep throughout college and beyond. First and foremost, to Team PuMPED, the best team at SEED 2023 (undisputed). Diya and Parnika, you made me confident in myself and helped me realize my worth as an intern, student, and lifelong learner. Coming out of freshman year, I was still unconfident in my ability to succeed, not just at Rice, but at academics in general. I stopped believing in myself. I had told myself that this summer was the start of a change to fix this mindset. I did things that helped me, but y’all’s encouragement, love, and support of me is something that I will never forget. I love y’all from the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in me.

To the rest of the Rice interns, Megan, Ben, Janie, Nothando, Quincy, and Philip, y’all added to my already great experience. From joking around with Ben ;), to bonding with Megan over long talks, talking music with Philip, movies with Quincy, joking with Janie about Valorant, and working aloingside Nothando as a host, y’all make work worth coming to. I loved walking in each and every day to see y’all working downstairs, doing work that I can’t even begin to understand. You each inspire me to work harder, to learn more, and I am taking away the spirit of comradery we shared.

To Eleanor and Esau, if we had had different team leads, I don’t know how SEED would have gone. Making my walks to turn up the volume of the music one level was an excuse to come talk to y’all, as I looked up to y’all. You are both so cool and unique and I aspire to become half the leaders and engineers you are. Your laughing at my dumb jokes, my hot takes, and accepting me for me did not go unnoticed, I assure you. Thank you for an amazing summer.

To our professors, Dr. Hunter, Dr. Holmes, and Dr. Taylor. You each individually contributed to my success this summer. From pointing out (pretty big) gaps in our designs, to words of encouragement, to taking the time to hear about our lives, this summer would not have been the same without y’all. Every insight y’all gave to me, from how to use a machine/tool, a technique to consider when going along the engineering design process, or running through the governing science or physics of a problem, I learned so much. I feel blessed beyond measure to know that y’all always had my back and were ready to hear my thoughts, my concerns, or just have a conversation. Thank you.

To Danny and Fernando. Y’all letting me berate y’all with questions concerning everything in the OEDK was much needed, and y’all having the patience to take your time and explain to me how to utilize and repair machinery was much much appreciated. I cannot wait to be in the OEDK more often and get to see y’all and work with y’all more. Thank you.

If I forgot anyone, I sincerely apologize, my head is full of thoughts and I’m trying to put them all down before I forget. This experience restored my faith in myself and my love for engineering. I wouldn’t have done this summer any differently, and am glad we got to spend this valuable time together. As Chif would say, “Seven weeks of hard work lead to this” and I know Florence is going to tell me again one day to “go crazy”. I still need to send Abubakr my mom’s cookie recipe and I know that Diya, Parnika, and I are going to be on a team again. I will always support Brown Senator. For the rest, these memories would not have happened. I will miss singing with everyone to stupid love songs and Disney songs. I will cherish this summer forever.

Thank you