Describe a challenging experience you have had. How were you tested? What did you learn?
Growing up in a comfortable yet homogeneous suburb of Cleveland, I always felt a strong desire to explore the world; consequently, at age 15, I was determined to spend a semester studying in Spain. After researching and making my case for this non-school sponsored program to my Dean (and my parents!), I set off alone to Badajoz, a small city on the border.
The next several months presented some of the most challenging experiences I’ve had to-date. Having only taken two years of Spanish, it was a constant struggle to communicate with my host family. At school I was the only foreigner, and it proved challenging to understand my professors, let alone complete assignments. My host family and peers at school had different beliefs and customs, which occasionally clashed with my own. I missed my family and friends dearly, yet I continuously pushed myself to embrace the opportunity. Even everyday tasks like eating proved challenging: coming to Spain as a vegetarian, I desired to experience all aspects of the culture, even if it meant eating Spain’s prized jamón. My final and lasting challenge was when I returned home, realizing that my experience had fundamentally changed who I was as a person, and home no longer felt the same as it had before I left.
Through this challenge I learned the value in being globally-minded and open to different cultures and belief systems. I found that when encountering a new environment, it’s important to adapt by finding similarities and appreciating differences. This proved useful during my time at Deloitte, when I frequently switched teams, working with new people, with differing styles and personalities.
I learned that despite taking part in an independent study program, I relied heavily upon others, and my team (my host family, parents and teachers) was critical to my success. Similarly, today through my current role in Banking, my Manager, VP and I work closely as a team to ensure that the overall value of each portfolio company makes sense and that my detailed analysis supports this value, crucial information leading to the end result that I present to the Board.
Finally, in Spain I often made embarrassing vocabulary mix-ups or was teased for my Americanized wardrobe of sneakers and sweatshirts. Through this I learned that a sense of humor is crucial and a good laugh can work wonders during a challenging situation!
Despite how many years have passed since my time in Spain, the invaluable lessons that I learned still regularly apply today. If given the opportunity to attend Kellogg, I would bring with me my global mindedness, ability to work with different types of people, team-centric attitude and healthy sense of humor.