Journey to Space: A Personal Story

The speaker shares her journey from a young girl in Chicago dreaming of space to becoming an astronaut. She discusses her passion for space, her medical school experiences, and her work in various countries. Despite challenges, she pursued her dream of space exploration, taking symbolic items to represent underrepresented groups. Her experience in space made her feel connected to the universe and reflect on her childhood aspirations.

What inspired the speaker's interest in space during her childhood?

• Building model rockets

• Reading about the Apollo program

• Watching science fiction movies

• Visiting a planetarium

What field did the speaker decide to pursue in medical school?

• Astrophysics

• Biomedical engineering

• Aerospace medicine

• Environmental science

Which of the following experiences did the speaker have during her medical school years?

• Working in a Cambodian refugee camp

• Interning at NASA

• Conducting research in Antarctica

• Volunteering in a South American hospital

What was the speaker's reaction when she applied to the astronaut program?

• She was nervous about being rejected

• She was confident she would be accepted

• She was indifferent to how many had gone before her

• She was focused on being the first African American woman in space

Why did the speaker choose to take certain items to space?

• To sell them as memorabilia

• To follow NASA's tradition

• To represent underrepresented groups

• To showcase her personal achievements

Which item did the speaker take to space to represent African American women?

• A painting by an African American artist

• A flag for the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority

• A book by Maya Angelou

• A photograph of Rosa Parks

What did the speaker feel when she looked at Earth from space?

• A deep connection with the universe

• A longing for adventure

• A sense of isolation

• A desire to return home

How did the speaker view her place in the universe after her space experience?

• As insignificant compared to the vastness

• As an integral part of the universe

• As a small part of a larger whole

• As a unique individual among many

What did the speaker reflect on when she saw Chicago from space?

• Her future goals

• Her educational journey

• Her childhood dreams

• Her family's support

What emotion did the speaker believe her younger self would feel upon meeting her?

• Pride

• Disappointment

• Amusement

• Confusion