Priya Sridhar
UNC | Apex, NC | Enloe High School
In what way has your experience as a Robertson Scholar challenged you the most?
My experience as a Robertson Scholar challenged me to discover purpose in seemingly paradoxical experiences of loss or discomfort. From international summers to semesters at Duke and abroad, my passions came alive in the most unexpected and unfamiliar of places. Whether an experience of two weeks or four months, connections with others sparked my curiosities and fanned the flames of my perseverance and growth. The consistency of this longing for connection brought new vibrancy to communal life, and greater appreciation of collaboration in learning and research. Ultimately, by being encouraged to truly live out my studies in incarceration and mental health, I began to discover where and how I could be a purposeful participant and impactful reformer.
Please share an example of how one of your summer experiences impacted your leadership.
My Robertson Launch summer humbled my conception of leadership beyond belief, from one of logistical and intellectual prowess to constancy of patience, depth of kindness, and strength of caring. I never felt as present in time as I did while exploring Biblical history in Israel and volunteering at children's homes in South Africa, and these experiences transformed my daily priorities and expressions of leadership. Where priorities had most often been dictated by urgency and completion of tasks, I felt that conversation and relational intimacy enabled me to live life to the fullest in the communities I encountered.
If you had one piece of advice for future Robertson Scholars, what would it be?
My advice would be to not get so addicted to achievement that you forget to think about why you are achieving. The resources and support of the RSLP are intended to push you (literally and figuratively) to discover what motivates, inspires, and sustains you in the mountains and valleys of life.
Anything else you want us to know?
The beauty of every college experience I had through the Robertson was in giving me way more than I was looking for.
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