I didn’t always know I wanted to be a veterinarian. Growing up, I was immersed in the arts — I performed in plays, sang in choir and took lessons in singing, dance and guitar. Surrounded by artists in my family, I assumed that was the path my life would take. 

Even when I started my undergraduate degree, I still believed I would pursue something in that world. Only when I took a marine biology class on a whim because a friend asked me to did my plans change. My interests shifted completely, and I began to envision a future as a marine biologist. 

I joined an organization where I conducted research on manta rays and sharks and helped educate my community about conservation. I loved the work and the direction I was heading — but something still felt like it was missing. I realized I wanted to do more.

I started working as a veterinary technician at a small animal clinic, and that’s when everything clicked. I fell in love with medicine: the problem-solving, the patient care and the ability to make a tangible difference. Over time, I began seriously considering veterinary medicine. The biggest hurdle? It meant being thousands of miles away from my family and everything I had ever known.

I was born and raised on the island of Guam and had spent my entire life there. Applying to veterinary school meant leaving home for the first time. Eventually, my desire to become a veterinarian outweighed my fear, and I applied — and was accepted — to NC State. It was a dream come true, but the fear didn’t disappear. I was moving somewhere completely unfamiliar, without a built-in support system. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone because my husband moved with me, and I truly don’t think I could have done it without him.

Adjusting to life in North Carolina was a culture shock. I came from a small, close-knit island community where everyone knows one another, and suddenly I was navigating a completely different environment. Even simple things like driving on the highway felt overwhelming at first. It was a constant reminder of how far I was from home — but also of how much I was growing.

Veterinary school has been the most difficult journey of my life, and being so far from home made it even harder. While many of my classmates could visit family regularly, I was able to return to Guam only once during my four years due to the cost and distance. 

The homesickness was, at times, overwhelming. There were moments when I seriously questioned whether I could continue. But the support of my husband and the friendships I built along the way gave me the strength to keep going.

When I first started vet school, I was certain I wanted to become an aquatic veterinarian and pursue an internship and residency to specialize. It felt like the perfect way to combine my love for marine biology with veterinary medicine. However, during my clinical year, my perspective began to shift. 

I started thinking more deeply about the kind of veterinarian I wanted to be — and where I was most needed. I found myself thinking more and more about home. I had always planned to return eventually, but that desire grew stronger as I recognized the need for veterinary care on the island. 

I have realized that I don’t have to wait to make an impact — I can start now. My training at NC State has given me the skills and confidence to care for a wide range of species, from small animals to wildlife, aquatic species and farm animals — all of which are essential in my community.

Now, as I prepare to graduate, I’m returning home not just as a veterinarian, but with a purpose. I want to give back to the community that shaped me, improve access to veterinary care and continue growing in a way that allows me to serve both animals and the people who depend on them. 

While my path didn’t start in veterinary medicine, every step along the way led me exactly where I’m meant to be, and I can’t wait for the next chapter of my life to start.