Article
Dr. Maxx Arguilla (left) and Dr. Herdeline Ardoña (right) during their interview at UC Irvine. Image by Precious Castillo. United States, 2021.
In January 2020, I flew to the United States to pursue my undergraduate studies. One of the reasons why I chose to study in the U.S. is its prominent research environment. Here, students can participate in research and work at research labs while in college. Back in the Philippines, undergraduate research was unheard of or at least not as common as it is here in the U.S.
When everything shut down in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I felt lost and alone. I didn t know if I was still on the right track. I am the first in my family to pursue science so no one can really offer me advice. Then I wondered: Am I the only one who feels this way? Are there others who would be able to relate to me?