Matthew: United States: Feb 01, 2022

Over the past couple of years, I have taken up several key opportunities and positions that have collectively allowed me to develop and build upon the strengths and skills I would consider to be among my most prominent today. I have always been immensely interested in experiencing and learning more about cultures different from my own, and I was able to do so firsthand when I studied abroad on Semester at Sea in the spring of 2019 during which I visited a number of countries throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe. The experiences I gained on Semester at Sea implanted in me a newfound love of traveling and a deeper appreciation for the world around me, and I came away with a greater understanding of not just the places I went to and the world in general, but of myself as well. Embarking on that journey alone and continually going to places I was unfamiliar with forced me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to become a more confident, positive, genuine, empathetic, and outgoing person, qualities I would heavily rely on when I took up job positions at the beginning of my final year at Colorado State University upon returning home. Throughout my time working as news editor of CSU's student publication, The Rocky Mountain Collegian, and as a leadership coach for Key Communities, I recognized the wellbeing of the students I was in constant communication with — whether it be through editing with them or mentoring them — was paramount. My job at The Collegian consisted of working together with the news director to oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the news desk at The Collegian and to ensure that there was always content to report on, and in making sure operations went as smoothly as possible, I always made myself available to reporters on the desk whenever they needed assistance. I proofread and edited almost every article the news desk published, and I helped organize and conduct meetings with engagement and creativity first in mind. As leadership coach, I mentored and supported a group of students throughout the year and offered guidance and resources as needed. I kept track of students' academic and personal progress and achievements through individual meetings and weekly checkups; I celebrated their accomplishments and lent a sympathetic ear and support when they were faced with challenges. As part of a team made up of four other leadership coaches and our director, I often collaborated with my team members on planning educational seminars and meetings that helped students explore professional opportunities and career goals. Relying on the qualities and values I developed from Semester at Sea as a basis for confidently and effectively carrying out various responsibilities throughout my last year at CSU, I learned how to be a leader. With this knowledge and experience, I aspire to teach English abroad, something I have dreamt of doing since my time on Semester at Sea.