Bridging the gap between high school and college can be difficult for any student, but in the case of recent geospatial information systems graduate James Moy, the transition came with a catastrophic complication.

Moy started noticing chronic headaches and an inability to sleep or keep food down during his first semester at the University of Maryland. A hospital visit during Thanksgiving Break confirmed the worst: a malignant brain tumor on Moy’s pineal gland. He had to abandon his courses in order to undergo aggressive treatments of both chemotherapy and radiation.

“The chemotherapy took quite a toll on my body: I could not eat, I felt weak and sick all the time and I felt like all I wanted to do was sleep, but I knew I had to keep strong,” Moy said. “I remained as calm-minded as possible to make sure everything was moving according to the treatment plans.”

Following treatment, tests revealed Moy’s tumor had been destroyed. Despite being advised to “take it slow,” Moy—an engineering major at the time—decided to return to UMD the following fall.

“As soon as all of the treatments were complete, I began thinking about returning to UMD to continue my studies and decided to finish my college education so that I could support my family as soon as possible,” Moy explained. “On a personal level, I re-learned just how much I treasure my family and close friends. Their feelings supported my will to become stronger again, to do my best no matter the situation, and to support them as best as I could.”

A new appreciation for his family and friends was not the only thing Moy would take away from his experience. As he took time to regain his strength, Moy also re-evaluated his academic interests.

“When returning to UMD, all of my previous coursework had been erased,” Moy said. “However, it was a fortunate thing for me because as I looked back at the engineering courses that I was taking, I discovered that engineering was more like a hobby to me than a career. Starting anew gave me some freedom to explore other courses, my possible options, and how I could perform better.”

Upon a recommendation from his advisor, Moy decided to take some courses in Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), which eventually ignited his passion for this area of study.

With nothing to hold him back, Moy went on to study abroad in China during the summer of 2015, where he was able to visit the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, a Hutong and a handful of other historic sites. By January 2016, Moy took his career to the next level by obtaining an ongoing internship with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“BSOS has empowered me throughout my college journey by providing an education that emphasizes modern applications with instructors that value learning,” Moy said.

Going forward with a new perspective on life and the value of education, Moy will be pursuing a master’s degree in GIS via UMD’s Five-Year BS/MS program. Eventually, Moy hopes to acquire a job with the federal government. He hopes his story can inspire other Terps dealing with adversity in any form.

“No matter what the situation is, always do your best.  If you show motivation and effort, others will notice,” Moy concluded. “Finally, cherish those close to you because they may come to your need later.”

- Written by BSOS Intern, Rachael Keeney.  For further information, please contact Sara Gavin.