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About Me
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Where It All Began
I've always been fascinated by animals and insects, and my passion began long before starting university. Growing up, my family and I regularly travelled to South Africa, where I had the opportunity to visit wildlife reserves, sanctuaries, and conservation areas. These experiences allowed me to observe animals in their natural environments and sparked a lifelong curiosity about wildlife and animal welfare.
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My interest continued throughout school. In fifth grade, I created an exhibition project focused on animals in captivity, researching the challenges they face and the importance of responsible animal care and conservation.
During high school, as part of the International Baccalaureate CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) programme, a friend and I organised a project to collect food and raise money for a local animal shelter in Vienna. This experience reinforced my desire to contribute to animal welfare within my own community. Later, for my Extended Essay, as part of the International Baccalaureate, I wrote a 4,000-word essay on the role of animals in supporting university students experiencing depression in the United States. Learning about the positive impact of human-animal relationships on mental well-being further deepened my appreciation for the bond between people and animals.
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Veterinary Shadowing Experience
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During high school, I had the opportunity to shadow a veterinarian in Vienna, where I observed a variety of clinical procedures and daily practice. This included routine examinations, blood sampling, administering injections, wound treatment, and interactions between veterinarians and pet owners. The experience gave me valuable insight into animal healthcare and reinforced my interest in animal welfare and the practical aspects of caring for animals.
My Studies
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A practical session for my animal anatomy class where we assembled animal skeletons
Today, I am studying Animal Care at the University of Padua, where I continue to develop both my academic knowledge and practical skills. So far, I have studied subjects including animal bioethics, animal legislation, anatomy, biology, mathematics, physics, and chemistry, all of which have given me a broader understanding of animal care and welfare.
Alongside my studies, I have taken part in practical experiences such as pig and chicken dissections, field trips to Italian wildlife reserves for biological studies, and a variety of group presentations. One project that particularly interested me involved researching the ethics behind pangolin scale use, reinforcing my interest in conservation and animal protection.
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