Undergraduate / 'hesitant to tell everyone my past' - NYU - becoming part of the world [3]

Why NYU?
At first I would never had considered NYU. Last year, every junior in my school was required to do a project to prepare for applying to college. My teacher wanted us to do a powerpoint presentation comparing 2 colleges. I picked NYU as one of my schools only because it has my major. As I continued this project, I really started to take it seriously; the amazing city, the people, the programs, the locations. As I stood there in a dark room, the projector on, my shaking voice, I knew this was what I wanted. Everything is so different. It's not a typical college experience. The most appealing part of NYU is the campus, the fact that the campus is not inside gates. The school is part of the city, students learn by being a citizen of the city. I want college to be different from what I have already experienced. I am sure that NYU will not only challenge me academically but also a person.

Regardless of whether or not you have an intended major or concentration, please elaborate on an academic area of interest and how you wish to explore it at NYU's campuses in New York or Abu Dhabi or at one of our global academic centers around the world. Please share any activities or experiences you have had that have cultivated your intellectual interests leading you to choose to study at the NYU campus of your choice.

"So, where are you from?"

The first question anyone asks when you first meet them.

Everyone that asks this question probably expects some answer like: "O, I'm from blank town, it's a few miles away." But I'm not.

I'm hesitant to tell everyone my past because then they will have preset misconceptions that won't let them get to know me as I am.

If they seem harmless, I'll say "I'm from Brazil." And then comes the buckets full of questions that I despise. "But you're Asian! Is your mom Brazilian? Do you speak Brazilian? What are you doing here?"

In my head, I think, "You don't look American. Do you speak American?!"

After experiencing this countless times, I decided I should use my background to my advantage. Everyone dreams of traveling the world, but I dream of learning about the people and cultures of the world. In such a globalized world, we are still so limited in knowing about other cultures. I hope that some day I will influence the way people in different countries interact and not just the governments.

I think that New York is the perfect place to learn about the world. So many people of so many ethnicities call it home. Millions of international businesspeople visit the city every year. From what I have experienced through my short trip and popular culture, New York is like the world shoved into this tiny space. I think that school is very important, but I have to start to explore my environment. Most of high school I have been focused on my grades and never really realized the importance of my environment. I realized that learning indoors is only part of the equation.

Undergraduate / Realizing what I am doing [4]

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below (1000 character maximum).

During my freshman year, the administrative staff encouraged us to join clubs that we were interested in. At first I thought that I should join as many as possible, but I realized that it would be outrageous and too time consuming. I was always interested in Red Cross but I always thought of it as a very medical oriented organization so I was hesitant. In the beginning of my sophomore year, I decided to join Red Cross along with my friends and learned that it's not about medicine but the idea of helping those in need, which is something that is very dear to me since I was little. One of the most memorable events was going to a food bank. There were lots of groups from different high schools and even some local colleges; all being educated on the source of the food in there and where the food would go after. My group was assigned to sort the produce. I thought we would have a few boxes but then I saw pallets full of plums and carrots. All this produce was donated by supermarkets because it wasn't fresh enough but there was nothing wrong. There were a few bad ones here and there but overall it looked the same as what one would find at the market. After walking out of there a few hours later, I felt horrible; I never realized how much people lacked especially in daily necessities. Red Cross has really helped me become more aware of my actions and think about how what I do today will affect someone later.

Undergraduate / perspecitve and art - NYU [3]

Why NYU?

College is about finding a new perspective, something outside of what I have seen already. NYU has the resources that will help me find a new point of view. The study abroad programs will show me how those in Europe see the world. The opportunities of internships will help me see the real world in action. Perspective is not something that is found but something that must be acquired. NYU with its extensive resources will see to the fact that I'm prepared to face the world as a cultured and open minded person.

What intrigues you? Tell us about one work of art, scientific achievement, piece of literature, method of communication, or place in the world (a film, book, performance, website, event, location, etc.), and explain its significance to you.(1500)

Art is a form of expression. Each person has a different definition for it, whether it's photography or poetry, the undeniable connection is its ability to help us express ourselves. I have not made much art that has meaning but I realized that for piece of work to be considered art, it must have meaning behind it. Every time I go to a museum, I stand in front of a piece and ask myself how is this art, what's the meaning behind it. Art is a way to express ourselves without worrying bout what others think. It is sending a secret message to the few who understand.