Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made

When I started high school, I met exchange students from all around the world. I’ve always loved learning about new places, so I peppered them with questions about their language, their home, and how it differed from the US. Enthralled by their stories, I applied to a full immersion program abroad. My parents agreed to let me go if I raised $1,000. Over the next year I saved everything I could from working a $5/hour job, giving up normal teenage splurges like going to the movies with friends and buying clothes. I was able to raise the money, and moved to Mulhouse, France. But, it didn’t feel like France! Mulhouse borders Germany and is heavily influenced by German culture, and one-quarter of Mulhouse’s population are immigrants, primarily from North Africa. Navigating this extreme multicultural environment at sixteen was one of the most transformative experiences of my life.

I learned how much your environment shapes your perspectives and beliefs. Coming from a small town in Wisconsin, I had never seen women wearing hijabs before, but many of my friends in France did. I asked them how they felt being forced to wear them, expecting them to feel disempowered and marginalized. Instead, they told me how it was their choice, and how they were proud to be able to physically demonstrate their commitment to their faith.

My time abroad forced me to let go of many of my preconceived notions- things that I assumed “everyone” believed, just because the majority of people where I grew up believed them. It taught me the most valuable lesson of my life, that everyone’s beliefs are right. You have to uncover what experiences have shaped their perspective. Now, I go into situations asking myself “why do they think they’re right?” as opposed to “how do I prove them wrong?”, enabling me to learn more and find commonality between seemingly dissimilar people.

Living in France fueled my natural curiosity, and I’ve stayed committed to ensuring I have experiences that throw me into new environments and push me outside my comfort zone. I’ve moved cross-country and cross-Atlantic solo four times after France. Each time I leave behind friends and family, knowing I’ll experience culture shock, loneliness, and homesickness during the first few months. However, I also know it’s worth it for what I learn from meeting people whose backgrounds and viewpoints are different than mine.

Yale shares the same values I do, and demonstrates it through its mission to be the most global and most integrated with its home university. Having students from different graduate programs on my team will give me perspectives on business problems I wouldn’t be able to get at any other program. I will dig deep into their past experiences to learn what diverse strengths they bring, recognizing that their knowledge will lead to a more creative business solution. I’ll further broaden my global exposure by spending a semester in Beijing, immersing myself in an unfamiliar culture.

With Yale’s unique assets, I’ll have the resources to stay committed to broadening my perspective and challenging my own beliefs- things that are increasingly important in today’s society.