The Chocolate That Changed My Life

Discover how a simple encounter with chocolate transformed Dr. Sarah Jayasekaran's life trajectory in this 18-minute TEDx talk. Explore the middle-class Indian dream and the challenges faced on the journey to the "American dream," including grad school life, cultural dating differences, beauty standards, accents, and physics. Learn how Dr. J, a Florida Gator with a Master's in Structural Engineering and PhD in Civil Engineering, redefined her insecurities, befriended her inner critics, and now lives a life she truly loves. Gain insights from her experiences as an Instructional Assistant Professor at the University of Florida, where she implements smart concepts and focuses on increasing student retention in Engineering. Be inspired by Dr. J's passion for teaching, risk-taking, and personal growth, as she shares her journey from Chennai, India to the United States, balancing her academic pursuits with CrossFit, reading, podcasts, cooking, and adventure planning.