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I was born in San Francisco to a single-mother surrounded by family friends from areas across the globe. But even as a child I couldn’t be tied to one place. My mother and I moved to Vienna, her birth city, when I was only 4. My identity has always been a mix of Austrian and American, but I connect with many other walks of life. Because I was always surrounded by many cultures, I developed a diverse, adventurous and open-minded outlook on life. I thank them all for making me the person I am today, because each and every one of them encouraged me to become a more well-rounded person, and to always be accepting of all outlooks and ideologies.
Looking through my old passport, I am astounded by all the places I traveled to when I was younger. I remember each with fond memories, going to Bolivia, our family friend’ home town, and passing out candy to the kids at their local church; being completely fascinated by a dung beetle of all things during a Safari in South Africa; struggling to understand French while buying fresh bread with another family friend in Paris. All these experiences have shaped who I am and have given me a longing to help reveal many things still unknown to humans. This has even carried on to what I want to do in the future. As a marine biologist I want to discover the mysteries of the ocean, go to places where many humans have not been, dive to the deepest depths and see strange wonders that exist there.
Moving throughout multiple cultures has also made me an open-minded and adaptable person. When I came to America in the 6th grade I had to adjust in many ways to the new schooling system, the language and especially the social scene. With every new class there came new classmates, unlike in Austria where there was only one class. I had to learn how to adapt to this new situation, how to make a name of myself amongst my peers, and how to make connections by being open. These experiences also gave me a huge confidence boost that I did not have before. They forced me to come out of my shell and reach out to others, and have shaped me into the person I am today.
Of course I never forget my roots, or the many places I have visited as a child. Knowing so many different cultures, so many different ways of thinking, has really shown me how to see many perspectives, how to understand and adapt to any situation without being afraid of other ideas. In a world with so many clashing opinions, it is important to have the ability to try and relate to others. I am so lucky to have been surrounded by so much diversity and happiness as it has inspired me to spread the joy and adventure that comes through understanding and connecting with others.