Ashi Poorey is a junior majoring in astrophysics with minors in data science and computational science and engineering. In addition to being an LAS Brand Ambassador, Ashi was also an intern for LAS 100, where she gained experience in organization, mentoring, and community building while supporting new students. Her leadership has developed through both academic and extracurricular roles. Ashi has also been involved in NASA’s L’SPACE Mission Concept Academy, the Illinois Space Society, and the Undergraduate Pre-PhD Society.
Every international student comes to the university with a clear vision and goal of pursuing their major, but they soon realize there is more to the experience than just their degree. Over the past couple of years, I have thrown myself into experiences beyond what I had in mind before college, and each one directed me toward my one true path. And, furthermore, my curious nature has never stopped me from trying out new things and learning from them.
I never thought I would want to learn anything other than astrophysics/astronomy, but I got to delve into research across diverse fields. Be it ECE, mathematics, quantum physics, or aerospace, I gained many versatile skills, but most importantly, the people I got to connect with and learn from was the best part of the experience.
I also ventured further into my existing hobby of reading and writing by being part of the Illinois Student Undergraduate Research Journal, which gave me the platform to articulate my passion for writing and combine it with my career goal: research.
However, the most memorable part of my undergraduate years would be the one that challenges me physically, creatively, and socially: Dance. It has been a transformative part of my journey here at Illinois. From being part of a team during freshman year, to not dancing sophomore year, to trying out for multiple teams, all I have to say is: the phrase ‘rejection is redirection’ holds true. I applied to a new upcoming team on a whim and today, I serve as the vice president of a new team that we built from the ground up, and it has been both rewarding and exhilarating. Throughout this whole process, I realized that there will always be obstacles in your way. Sometimes, you may want to give up, but passion and determination keep you going. Creating a team, training together, and performing for the first time taught me leadership, teamwork, and the power of perseverance.
These experiences-- academic projects, research, and dance, share a common thread: the courage to try something new, even when the outcome is uncertain. At U of I, I have learned that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing challenges and exploration. Being open to new opportunities, whether in a lab, a competition, or a dance studio, has not only expanded my horizons but also shaped the kind of person I want to be: curious, resilient, and ready to face the unknown.
In trying it all, I have discovered that the most meaningful experiences often come from the paths you least expect.