University of Wisconsin–Madison

USA: Ivy Ceballos (A New Experience)

A New Experience: An Enchanting Encounter at the Smithsonian Butterfly Exhibit

An orange and black monarch butterfly sits on top of blue and white flowers.

Visiting the butterfly exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is an experience I will always carry with me. For $8, I purchased a ticket to enter the butterfly garden, a space that feels both serene and bursting with life. Walking through the garden, I was surrounded by hundreds of butterflies, their delicate wings creating a kaleidoscope of color and motion. Each step I took felt intentional, as if the air around me was filled with magic and fragility.

A mostly black butterfly with pink spots on its wings sits on a purple flower.
A couple of butterflies I photographed inside of the butterfly exhibit.
A yellow and black butterfly sits on bright green leaves next to a few red flowers.
A black and yellow butterfly sits on top of a purple flower.

While I have always appreciated the beauty of nature, being surrounded by butterflies brought me to a state of calm and wonder. At one point, a dark tan butterfly landed gently on my head, lingering just long enough for me to feel connected to this beautiful creature. It was a moment that made me pause and reflect on the simple, fleeting joys in life.

Five mostly-orange butterflies with a few black spots on their wings sit on leaves.

The staff explained the lifecycles of the butterflies, from their transformation within the chrysalis to their emergence and freedom to fly. It was a powerful reminder of the beauty of change and growth, something I could deeply relate to during my own journey through this program. The butterfly garden is more than just an exhibit; it’s a place of reflection, reminding visitors of nature’s resilience and grace. I left feeling both lighter and more aware of the quiet moments that shape our lives.

A black and tan butterfly is perched on Ivy's hair with a green and pink bush in the background.
A butterfly landed on my head during my visit to the Smithsonian butterfly exhibit, a moment of pure connection with nature.

 

Ivy takes a selfie in a white room with a dark brown door.

Ivanna (Ivy) Ceballos

Major: Political Science, Legal Studies

Hometown: Romeoville, Illinois

Program: Wisconsin in Washington, DC Internship Program