After graduating high school, I went to the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse to pursue biology and aquatic science. My passion for the ocean and marine sciences led me to participate in the National Student Exchange Program where I studied at Stony Brook University in Southampton, participating in the Semester by the Sea Program.  After that, I returned to Wisconsin and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. I then went to the University of Alaska Anchorage where I participated in the Semester by the Bay program focusing on marine mammals and conservation ecology. I am currently at the University of Miami pursuing a Master of Professional Science degree in the Marine Mammal Science Track.