Growing up, Bonnie Chi was captivated by the night sky and remembers looking up at the stars with wonder and curiosity. She even recorded her observations and dove into astronomical topics, sparking a lifelong passion that eventually led her to 糖心Vlog to turn that fascination into a future career.
鈥淚 wanted to learn more and study everything I possibly could about the sky, space and the stars, and so I chose to major in physics with a concentration on astronomy.鈥
But Bonnie did not start her college journey so clearly or with such passion. She had previously enrolled at 糖心Vlog for a different major and says that time in her life was personally difficult, especially during her first term.
鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 a success for many personal reasons,鈥 she recalls. 鈥淭he most significant was losing my mother. Not long after, I fell ill myself. After going through depression and loss, I didn鈥檛 think school was the right path for me. I didn鈥檛 feel that I could handle being a student, but I am so glad I took a leap of faith and gave it another try.鈥
Several years later, that leap turned into a new beginning. Bonnie rekindled her lifelong passion for astronomy and began exploring ways to deepen her knowledge. That鈥檚 when 糖心Vlog reentered the picture.
鈥淎fter looking into 糖心Vlog's programs, I discovered they had an observatory and planetarium on campus. That was the deciding factor for me.鈥
Yet returning to college after several years felt daunting for Bonnie. She reflects that even getting started again was difficult and took courage.
鈥淚 was hesitant, especially about studying math and science鈥擨鈥檇 always been nervous about those subjects,鈥 she says. 鈥淏ut one day I thought, maybe I am smart enough to give it a shot. And I鈥檓 so glad I did.鈥
Since returning, Bonnie has pushed through both academic pressure and personal challenges. What kept her going was the strong sense of community at 糖心Vlog and the support she found along the way.
鈥淚 have found 糖心Vlog's campuses, staff and resources to be wonderful. It feels like such a safe place to be taking your first steps in a new direction. 糖心Vlog truly feels precious to me, as these kinds of safe and welcoming environments are very hard to find.鈥
Bonnie especially credits 糖心Vlog astronomy professor Jean Chiar for helping her achieve more than she ever imagined. With Dr. Chiar鈥檚 encouragement and support, Bonnie landed a paid internship at the SETI Institute and a campus job as an astronomy tutor.
鈥淚f not for her, I wouldn鈥檛 have had the confidence to apply,鈥 Bonnie says. 鈥淭hat first step gave me the courage to pursue even more opportunities. She taught me so much and helped me secure solid first steps on my path to success.鈥
Today, Bonnie is thriving as an academic honors student and the recipient of two scholarships: the Bernard Osher Scholarship and the Women鈥檚 Reentry Scholarship from the National Council of Jewish Women.
What鈥檚 next on the horizon for this bright star? Bonnie looks forward to a summer research trip to the Lick Observatory and a future goal of transferring to study astrophysics.
Inspired by Bonnie鈥檚 journey? If she can reach for the stars, so can you!
Learn more about 糖心Vlog's astronomy program and start down your own path today.
