Curiosity Essay, Sample 2

Growth-Oriented Essay: Curiosity can be seen in many ways. Please share an example of how you have demonstrated curiosity and how that has influenced your growth. (250 words)

In high school, I spent a summer in France through a student exchange program. I looked forward to practicing my French, and was dreaming of that first authentic croissant. However, Mulhouse, France was nothing like what I had expected. Mulhouse, in Alsace, is heavily influenced by German culture; moreover, one-quarter of Mulhouse’s population are immigrants, primarily from North Africa. I had many unexpected encounters: for example, coming from smalltown Maine, I had never seen women wearing hijabs, but many of my new French friends did. I assumed they felt disempowered or marginalized, but they told me the hijab was their choice; they wore it proudly as a commitment to their faith.

This unexpected melting pot aroused my curiosity about cultural diversity, and inspired me to pursue more immersive global experiences. My first leap was to leave rural Maine and move cross-country to San Diego for college, where I soon became enthralled with Latin-American culture. To learn more, I spent three months back-packing across Central America, giving my newly acquired conversational Spanish a workout. Most recently with McKinsey, my curiosity about other cultures impelled me to seek out a six-month externship in Nairobi, Kenya as a pro-bono consultant in public health.

Each time I pack my bag, curiosity drives me onward. I experience culture shock, loneliness, and homesickness, but I also build the courage and skills to navigate new situations, make new friends, and roll with the unexpected. I cherish every opportunity to immerse myself in new cultures, histories and viewpoints.