Christchurch-born Bess Park's recent adventures include representing New Zealand at the World Supremacy Battlegrounds with her Canterbury hip hop crew.
Stepping off the world stage and into the science lab is all part of the big plan for Health Sciences first year student.
Christchurch-born Bess Park's recent adventures include representing New Zealand at the World Supremacy Battlegrounds with her Canterbury hip hop crew.
“I fell in love with Hip Hop when I was in Year 9. It was my dream to take my dancing to Korea, which I did for two months. I realised early on it wasn't the career path I wanted. I really do love dancing but sometimes when a hobby becomes too competitive it takes the joy out if it.”
Bess spent her teenage years focussed on school, working part time and dancing.
“I'm a perfectionist and I probably took on too much but I also liked it. I'm not the kind of person who can just pick one thing, I like to have a few things to work on. While I loved dancing, I was also really into science.”
Bess says it was during lockdown last year she realised she cared about helping people more than being competitive.
“I had thought instead of being a dancer I might pursue a career as a pilot. During lockdown I realised understanding the brain interests me more and wondered if I could use my science in a field like psychiatry.”
The 18-year-old now has her sights on making a career in psychiatry as well as planning to teach Hip Hop on the side.
“I want to keep dancing. I'm taking some time to focus on my studies but I will be doing it again soon and I would love to teach kids to dance too.”
Before moving to Dunedin, 18-year-old Bess (third from left) travelled great distances with her Christchurch crew.
Among her achievements, Bess was also a successful recipient of the University of Otago Performance Entrance Scholarship which is available to academically able students with a demonstrated high-level ability in subjects from gymnastics to classical music.
“I chose Health Sciences because it gives me an opportunity to explore a range of sciences that will support my future career. I'm only four weeks in but already it's been hard work.”
Staying in a college with other Health Sciences students keeps Bess engaged with her studies.
“Everyone on my floor is a Health Sciences student, you can tell because it's so quiet,” Bess laughs.
“It's a hard balance to get because you know other students are having fun with their friends, and I want to make sure I get an equal balance of working hard and having social experiences. You do have to be focussed to pass these papers so that's my priority.”
Kōrero by Internal Communications Adviser, Chelsea McRae