Whiskey, Waffle House, and Jesus I stepped up to the podium, adjusted the microphone, and looked out. Thousands of judging eyes looked back. Okay, I thought, you only live once. Reserved for ceremonies and announcements, the McCallie School Chapel in Chattanooga, Tennessee was anything but controversial. “Hey, y’all. I’m starting a Young Socialists Club.” Silence. Despite countless debate tournaments, Model United Nations conferences, and oration contests, my confidence dwindled. I felt as though I'd been thrown overboard in...

I most value Columbia University’s connection to China and emphasis on Chinese studies. The concept of “cultural exchange” originates from the 16th and 17th centuries, when Jesuit missionaries decided that Christian and Confucian beliefs are compatible. While many things in the world have changed since then, the importance of cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and the West has not; China and the United States have the most important bilateral relationship in the world today. Increasing interconnectedness of...

Mandarin and Chinese culture have fascinated me since the first day I stepped into McCallie’s middle school Chinese classroom. Mandarin is one of the most difficult languages for English-speakers to learn. Therefore, Mandarin is particularly rewarding and humbling to study. The language is not only comprised of thousands of unique characters that need to be memorized, but also a vocabulary that is centered on tones. Words like “love” and “cancer,” or “mathematics” and “blood transfusion,” consist of the same...

New York University is at the forefront of global education because in contemporary society, cross-cultural understanding is essential. Increasing interconnectedness of the world means that it is critical to combine alternative viewpoints into a cohesive picture when analyzing and problem-solving. I have begun laying the foundations for cross-cultural understanding through reading, traveling, and studying abroad. I feel that New York University will develop my ability of how to effectively use cross-cultural understanding to solve real-world problems. Last summer while visiting...

Describe several of your intellectual interests. How would your pursuit of these interests help you contribute to the Richmond community? Mandarin and Chinese culture have fascinated me since the first day I stepped into McCallie’s middle school Chinese classroom. Mandarin is one of the most difficult languages for English-speakers to learn. Therefore, Mandarin is particularly rewarding and humbling to study. The language is not only comprised of thousands of unique characters that need to be memorized, but also a...

Increasing interconnectedness of the world means that it is critical to consider alternative viewpoints when making decisions. I have decided to apply to Yale-NUS College because the institution is a leader in global education. My experience attending School Year Abroad has reaffirmed the importance of global education and cross-cultural understanding. I have traveled to cities like Xi’an, Chengde, Datong, Pingyao, and Taiyuan, Huangshan, and Luoyang. I have discussed the election of President Trump with tourists in a mountaintop hostel,...