My Story
In 2016, as part of an exchange student program, I left my home country and stepped onto American soil for the very first time, arriving alone in Arizona. This initial journey was filled with uncertainties and anxiety, despite the support of a welcoming host family. Adjusting to a completely new culture and environment was challenging, yet it marked the beginning of significant personal growth.
After that transformative half-year experience, I returned home determined and motivated. I spent the next year proactively preparing myself academically and emotionally for my future abroad. In the fall of 2017, I resumed my educational journey in Oregon at a Catholic high school. Those two years were eye-opening; not only did I broaden my perspectives and cultural understanding, but I also forged meaningful friendships and comfortably adapted to life in the United States.
In the fall of 2019, I enrolled at the University of Oregon, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Minor in Economics, graduating in 2023. My college years, though occasionally overwhelming due to rigorous academic demands and the unexpected solitude during the COVID quarantine period, were among the happiest and most fulfilling of my life. The knowledge I acquired, the cultural exchanges I experienced, and the independence I cultivated made these years truly rewarding.
Following graduation, I began working at GT Auto Group as a bookkeeper under the OPT program. This professional experience highlighted the crucial insight that academic knowledge, while foundational, must often be adapted and continually updated to effectively address real-world challenges. This period was both enlightening and humbling, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and ongoing learning.
In January 2025, another exciting chapter began as I was accepted into Columbia University's Master of Science in Enterprise Risk Management program. Moving to the East Coast represented another significant shift—despite nearly eight years in the U.S., this was my first experience living on the East Coast. Adjusting once again to new rhythms, lifestyles, and cultural nuances has been a fresh challenge, but one that I've embraced fully. Now, a semester into this new adventure, I'm increasingly at home in this vibrant and dynamic environment, eager for the continuous growth and experiences that lie ahead.