Natalia enrolled at her UWC devoted to one goal: to receive the best education possible and one day return home to Russia to become a neurosurgeon. She sought a college that would support this goal. "During my second year of UWC my tutor gave me a handout from COA and described it as a school with a great scientific curriculum. I researched the college's facilities and became very interested in marine biology, specifically the genetic background of large marine organisms. I decided to challenge myself by exploring an area unknown to me. COA offers wonderful opportunities for those interested in marine mammal research, such as Allied Whale, an organization of specialized scientists that provides hands-on experience with marine mammals. Allied Whale could help me experience dissections and surgeries on non-human organisms, practices that would help me to decide if I was really devoted to biomedicine.

"When I came to College of the Atlantic I was eager to challenge my perception  of science, to look at it from a slightly different point of view. To this end, I took several marine mammal classes. As the weeks passed, I was discovering a greater passion for my original interest in biomedicine and dissections. At the end of my first year, I made a presentation for my marine mammal class on Orca pods and differences in their DNA, after which I decided to switch to molecular genetics. Throughout my sophomore year participation in an independent study in forensic science and a biochemistry class confirmed my interest in DNA. For me, the ability to choose and to support your choice is what makes COA a special place.”