Saisha Adhikari

Why you chose your major

Well, my major was picked for me. Growing up I knew I had to be either a doctor, lawyer, or engineer to satisfy the rest of my family and the competitive Nepalese society. However, I grew immense fascination for the human body and science. Understanding the way humans operate and why we function this way are topics I have always been fond of. Luckily, my majors help me answer my questions, but also show me that science is a continuous discovery full of curiosity. There is still so much we are unaware of, and that is the most exciting part. With this mentality, I chose biology and psychology to expand my comprehension about the natural and social sciences world, and public health track to apply the knowledge from my majors towards.

Favorite course

Introduction to Women's Literature, ENGL 215, has been my favorite course so far in college because it gave me a chance to form and express my opinions on important topics. This was one of the first classes I took that didn't fit with my major so I was hesitant that it wouldn't suit my interests, however, I saw the dramatic impact of interdisciplinary courses on my critical thinking. In English, I was required to be creative, which helped me conquer problems in classes like Organic Chemistry, that also required creativity. I have become a more open-minded person due to the deep discussions we had in class, and I am thankful I can use these skills in different aspects of my life.

Research or internship experience

In the summer of 2018, I created an internship at the Department of Neuroscience at Nepal. Originally, I had communicated with the hospital HR team that I wanted to learn about global healthcare, and she gave me the opportunity to create what ever I wanted to achieve my goal. During my time there, I shadowed neurosurgeons in the operating room and kept track of patients' illness, treatments, and discharges in the ICU. I learned about the social determinants in healthcare, and the importance of education and awareness for prevention of diseases. This was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life and pushed me to change my track from pre-med to public health. I aim to get a Master's in Global Public Health which I can use to go back and make a difference in Nepal.

Other involvement

Currently, I serve as the External Vice President of ASUN, which is my biggest involvement and time requirement. Besides that, I am involved in the Child Maltreatment Research Lab, University Health Center Advisory Board, and an off-campus volunteer as a public health educator for refugees. During breaks, I work at Methodist Hospital in Omaha in Behavioral Health.

Why you chose Nebraska

Growing up in Omaha nearly my entire life, I knew I wanted to leave the moment I graduated high school. I had not even toured UNL, let alone envisioned my collegiate experience as a Husker for the next four years. As I was concluding my senior year, I spent immense quality time with my family. I realized I took my moments with them for granted and finally looked into UNL. The research combined with the opportunities to flourish reassured me that I had a big potential to thrive here. I took the risk to say yes, and have not regretted my decision.