The only time I’ve seen my father cry was in the backseat of a Taxi cab in Dongguan, China. My father is the kind of man who leaves for month long business trips only to return to his office rather than his home. He’s the man with a firm grin on his face and a stubborn mind that won’t take no for an answer. He’s taught me courage, leadership, responsibility, and confidence. My dad is the...

Ben Franklin once said, 'All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move.’ I move. I have always been someone who refuses to stand still, both figuratively and literally. I refrain from remaining unchanged for a long period of time because I believe that life is what you make of it. It is up to you to be an ever-changing force that continues to develop as you move through life....

Did you know that there is no historical proof that Vikings had horns on their helmets? This is just a popularized image of Vikings as pillaging warriors. Yes, some tribes definitely traveled around and terrorized villages, but most of the Viking people were peaceful farmers and traders. They were excellent sailors and navigators. Their crafting was both practical and beautiful. They had stories woven with Nordic mythology and they explored the world with skill. This is my heritage. I grew...

I cannot begin to list the innumerous amounts of times that someone has reacted with surprise or shock when I tell them that I am a third degree black belt in martial arts. Perhaps they were not expecting that the over-achieving, innocent, Swedish girl was actually quite exceptional in defending herself against attackers. Regardless, my karate is something that I see as a lifestyle, not a typical achievement that I would put down on a piece of paper. It has...

When I was little, I was told that I couldn't be President because I was born in Sweden. As I grew up, I was told that I couldn't help this country because I was one simple person in California. My goal for the future is to be a corporate executive, not so that I can boast and gloat about the money I make, but so that I can change America. I’m going to college to educate myself in business,...

Social Justice...

I applied to 11 schools. It was the most stressful...

I ended up taking out a lot of loans for my undergraduate education, unfortunately. My advice...