I was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario and I completed my undergraduate degree in 2010 at the University of Waterloo with a Bachelors of Science in the Biotechnology/Chartered Accountancy Co-op Program. I worked at KPMG, first as a tax analyst and then as an auditor, for a little while before realizing that my childhood dreams of becoming an optometrist had never really disappeared.

Growing up, the eye doctor’s office became the place I spent the most time in, other than home and school. My grandmother had glaucoma, and since I didn’t have a babysitter, my mother was forced to drag me along to all of my grandmother’s appointments. As a five year old who loved her books, reading and coloring undisturbed in the waiting room with my feet dangling over the seat was already bliss. But having to sit in the corner of a quiet, darkened room, watching my grandmother’s eye exam was strangely comforting. Maybe it was the doctor’s calm disposition, or the sound of my mother’s voice as she translated his directions to my grandmother, but whatever it was I never felt more at home than when I was in that room. It was where I wanted to be and I couldn’t wait until her next follow-up appointment.

When I walked through ICO’s doors for the first time for my interview back in October 2011, I felt the same connection as the one I experienced almost 20 years ago. I knew right away that ICO was where I wanted to be, not because I was in Chicago or because of the great facilities – those were just a bonus – but it was because of the people here at ICO who really left an impression on me and made me feel at home. They still do.

For that reason, I encourage all prospective students to make a visit to the campus to see what ICO is really like. And if you happen to recognize me in the hallways, don’t be afraid to come over and say, “Hey, I know you! I read your blog!” because that’s what all bloggers want to hear. It’s true.

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