Hello again! Although I already briefly introduced myself, my name is Mahi Patel. For the most part, I have lived in North Carolina for most of my life. I briefly lived in India with my uncle for about two years when I was a toddler, but I eventually came to the United States to live with my parents once again. Temporarily living in a different country had me adjusting to a completely different environment, but even at the age of two, I navigated it to the best of my abilities. I am not an expert at exploring unknown territories, but I am always determined to learn, no matter how risky it may be. 

 

Anyone who knows me is aware that reading, henna, baking, and listening to music are a few of my favorite hobbies. I picked these up while wandering different paths and wanted to try new things. I’ve always been a huge reader since childhood, which has stayed with me to this day, so I don’t think that part of me will ever change. I also love using henna on others because it makes me feel more connected with my Indian culture. Some people get intimidated by this process because the henna paste stains immediately, but I didn’t let it hold me back. I kept practicing and practicing until I learned how to work past the small bumps in the road, and now I think I am pretty good at it. While I am still not an artist or professional, henna allows me to explore my creativity. I enjoy baking because the process of following directions and measuring out ingredients is something that I find relaxing. Sometimes, I want to give up midway because there is no guarantee that the result will be what I was hoping for, but I’ve learned to trust the process, and it always works out in the end. Lastly, I think my love for music is one that many people can relate to. I like to view music as my companion in life while I encounter new adventures every day. I love how artists can convey emotions through songwriting, making listeners feel like they have lived through that experience.  

  

I honestly have never really had a favorite subject in school – I enjoyed them all if my teachers made the class fun. I’ve always liked learning new information, but English and Science are the most interesting to me. I’ve been in an academically rigorous environment for most of my education, which is why I took the risk of getting a dual degree. I decided to work toward completing a High School Diploma from Union County Early College and an Associate in Science degree from South Piedmont Community College. After five years of learning to navigate the paths' turns and corners, I will receive both degrees in May 2023. Constantly learning allows me to explore topics that pique my curiosity, which is why I enjoy it so much and keep incorporating it into my journey.    

 

My interest in the healthcare field has been shaped by both personal and academic experiences. Having a family member that dealt with some health issues when I was younger kept me constantly surrounded by medical conversations. I would research what I heard to better understand what was going on. Eventually, I became aware that this was something I enjoyed learning. I continued to explore my interest and take more science-based classes, which only increased my desire to learn. As I got older, my passion for medicine kept growing, and I knew that this was what I wanted to study in the future. Once I realized this, life seemed less intimidating because I now had an end goal in mind. I have multiple career options, such as nursing, physician’s assistant, and medical school. Still, regardless of what I pick, I know medicine is my destination.