Princeton

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work

experiences that was particularly meaningful to you. (About 150 words)
I have always had an interest in different countries and cultures and am
fascinated with their relationships, interactions, and interdependencies. This
fascination found an outlet in Model United Nations (MUN).

Despite participating in improv groups and plays, I was timid in 9th grade. My
passion for international diplomacy was stronger than my shyness, however, and
soon enough I was shouting, making speeches, and being ambushed by
delegates that wanted to create resolutions with me. These were moments of
self-discovery and self-determination. More than gaining confidence and the
ability to speak in public, MUN has provided me with one of the qualities I am
proudest of: open-mindedness. Defending other countries' positions,
understanding their views and motives, has made me a more oxygenated
thinker. Addicted to this feeling, I have participated in a total of fourteen MUNs,
my final as Secretary General of an international conference - one small step to
the big destiny I aim for.

Words entered: 154

Please tell us how you have spent the last two summers (or vacations between
school years), including any jobs you have held. (About 150 words)
Two years ago, I participated in an Oxford program called Broadening Horizons.
I took classes in international relations, economics, and acting. I debated the
justifications for war, effects of globalization, and the media's influence in
international affairs. Additionally, I learned fencing, the art of eating scones, and
that Australia does NOT have small vicious bears that climb lampposts and
attack people at night, despite what certain conniving Melbournians might say.

Last summer I was an intern at the European Bank of Reconstruction and

Development. I was awed by their accomplishments in funding programs to help
developing countries, simultaneously aiding communities, creating market
economies, and making a profit. I was honored to attend board meetings and
witness firsthand some of today's leading figures debate such issues as how the
situation in Crimea influenced what programs which countries would support.
While there, I was told to measure and provide recommendations for how to
more effectively communicate project results in order to persuade country level
parliaments that funding societal projects through EBRD pays off.

Not only was EBRD amazing, the experience of working and being independent
was staggering.

Words entered: 185

Your favorite book and its author:
Written on the Body – Jeanette Winterson. Throughout the novel, the nameless,
ageless, genderless main character falls in love with a beautiful woman. The
gender of the protagonist is never revealed. In the end, I realized it wasn’t
important; such labels are not necessary in love and friendship.

Your favorite movie:

La Meglio Gioventù. An Italian six hour movie that, at the end, makes you feel
you’ve journeyed through a whole lifetime, gaining the emotions, memories, and
wisdom of a "saggio".

Your favorite website:

Listverse.com – this place is for explorers, those seeking the most fascinating
and rare gems of human knowledge. At least, I like to tell myself that.

Two adjectives your friends would use to describe you:

Cosmopolitan and Clumsily Sophisticated

Your favorite recording:

Cirque du Soleil - Quidam. Just listening to them makes me shiver. The way they
meld mesmerizing costumes, beautiful music, and powerful movements is
absolutely hypnotizing. I am fairly certain the performers are more than just
human.

Your favorite keepsake or memento:

A bookmark from Japan given to me by my vovó, my Brazilian grandmother. She
has always wanted to travel and explore. The bookmark is a symbol of that
curiosity and desire to experience more.

Your favorite source of inspiration:

Rain pouring in the jungle – for me, this is often what my backyard feels like. I
think of Langston Hughes “Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your
head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.” I am home and at
peace in hot rain.

Your favorite word:

Godwottery. It’s not blasphemous, it’s about highly romantic elaborate chaotic
gardens.

Your favorite line from a movie or book and its title:

“Oh it don't make no kind of sense. Big ol' ox like Grady won't sit next to a
colored child. But he eats eggs- shoot right outta chicken's ass!” – Sipsey, Fried
Green Tomatoes

In addition to the essay you have written for the Common Application, please
write an essay of about 500 words (no more than 650 words and no less than
250 words). Using one of the themes below as a starting point, write about a
person, event, or experience that helped you define one of your values or in
some way changed how you approach the world. Please do not repeat, in full or
in part, the essay you wrote for the Common Application.
4. “Culture is what presents us with the kinds of valuable things that can fill a life.
And insofar as we can recognize the value in those things and make them part of
our lives, our lives are meaningful.” Gideon Rosen, Stuart Professor of
Philosophy, chair of the Council of the Humanities and director of the Program in
Humanistic Studies, Princeton University.

Please enter your selected essay here:

I was born into four cultures: French, American, Brazilian, and Mauritian.

The mores of these nationalities are so much a part of me I can't imagine my life
or personality without them. From my French family, I learned to be brave when
confronting new foods (how else could one consciously eat snails), the value of
self-deprecating humor, and the art of arguing. From my American school and
friends, I learned to be punctual (a rare quality in anyone from Bahia, Brazil),
straightforward, and confident when facing new challenges. From my Brazilian
family and my country, I learned to laugh at my problems and enjoy whatever life
brings me.

I celebrate Bastille Day, cut the turkey on Thanksgiving and give white flowers to
Iemanjá on New Year's.

Naturally, then, I was confronted with an existential crisis at a very young age. In
my school, there was segregation between foreigners and Brazilians. I and one
other girl were the only ones that were a part of both groups. My peers noticed
this and carried out several failed attempts at classifying me into just one of the
groups. No matter how hard they tried, I could never be only Brazilian or only a
foreigner; I am very much a part of both.

In the beginning, however, I was resentful of my various cultures. I was full of

teenage angst, confronted with the ever-cliché and ever-present dilemma of
"fitting in". It didn't occur to me that I was actually incredibly lucky until a few
years later, sitting in my great-aunt's house in Mauritius Island, surrounded by my
Brazilian and French family. The sky was a cerulean blue, and if one
concentrated they could hear the roar of the sea beyond the multilingual chatter.
Eating my great-grandmother's spice cakes, playing belote with my I've-given-up-
counting-how-many cousins and watching as my sister taught one of my aunts
how to samba, I couldn't help but realize that my life has become exponentially
richer because of all the cultures I am a part of.

This realization was supported by my time in an Oxford class for international

relations. The teacher was outlining the possible negative effects of globalization,
one of them being that cultures will be so mixed that eventually they will lose their
uniqueness and perhaps even meld into one monochromatic society. I was
surprised when the very idea brought about intense, paralyzing fear. A world with
only one culture? Where would the different art be? What languages would be
left? Where would humanity's beauty in diversity be?
Soon after my epiphany, I got involved in Model United Nations (MUN) and came
into contact with many other cultures. I learned to truly understand different
perspectives. Defending and portraying a country as though it were my own
forced me to take into consideration factors I had previously not even attempted
to acknowledge.

I have also experienced many cultures through my travels. I shivered when faced
with the Chinese Imperial Palace, be it from excitement or the bitter Chinese
winter, I am unsure. I practically jumped for joy when I participated in a tea
ceremony in Kyoto, Japan (nearly scaring the poor ojou-sama to death). I almost
dropped my gelato in awe when I entered the Coloseum, and had to repress a
shudder when I entered the old slave trade center, Pelourinho.

I love experiencing new sights and new cultures, witnessing and participating in
traditions and customs previously unknown to me. For these are what make
humans truly beautiful. It is our cultures, our diversity, that make us unique, that
help define our values and our tastes. Culture is what makes our lives meaningful
and flavorful.

Now, I cannot imagine a life where I don't know how addictive the card game
belote is, where I do not face my problems with pragmatism and confidence, or
where I am not looked at a little strangely for smiling so brightly at strangers.

Words entered: 650

Writing Questions:

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work

experiences that was particularly meaningful to you. (About 150 words)
Being French, American, Brazilian, and slightly Mauritian, I always had an
interest in different countries and cultures. I was fascinated with their relationships,
their interactions, and this fascination found an outlet in Model United Nations
(MUN).
Despite being shy in 9th grade, my passion for international diplomacy saw me
shouting, making speeches, and being ambushed by delegates that wanted to write
resolutions with me. My first MUN was a moment of self-discovery and self-
determination. I gained confidence. More than confidence, though, MUN has
provided me with one of the qualities I am proudest of: open-mindedness. Through
debate I have reached an understanding of cultures and policies I previously did not
even try to comprehend. Defending other countries’ positions, understanding their
views and motives has made me a more accepting and well-rounded person. MUN
has even provided me the opportunity to travel to Qatar for free for Qatar
MUNAddicted to this feeling, I have participated in a total of fourteen MUNs, my
final as Secretary General of the largest international conference in South America.
- QMUN

Please tell us how you have spent the last two summers (or vacations between
school years), including any jobs you have held. (About 150 words)
Two years ago, I participated in an Oxford program called Broadening
Horizons. I took classes in International Relations, Economics, and Acting. I debated
the justifications for war, positives and negatives of globalization, and the role of the
media in international affairs. Additionally, I learned fencing, the art of eating scones,
and that Australia does not have small vicious bears that climb lampposts and attack
people at night, despite what certain conniving Melbournians might say.
Last summer I was an intern at the European Bank of Reconstruction and
Development. I was awed by their accomplishments in funding programs to help
developing countries, simultaneously aiding communities, creating market
economies, and making a profit. I was honored to attend board meetings and witness
firsthand some of the leading figures in today’s economy debate the validity of
different programs. It was overwhelming to see how politics played a role in the
international economy, specifically how the situation in Crimea influenced what
programs which countries would support. Not only was EBRD amazing, the
experience of working and being absolutely independent was astounding.

Your favorite book and its author:

Written on the Body – Jeanette Winterson. I adore this book for its message
that gender, age and other labels we put on each other are not important in love.
Throughout the novel, the nameless, ageless, and genderless main character goes
through trials and falls in love with a beautiful woman. I found myself compelled to
try to find at least the gender of the main character, but never succeeded. In the end, I
realized it wasn’t important. Such labels are not necessary in relationships between
humans, individuals.

Your favorite movie:

 La Meglio Gioventù. An Italian six hour movie that, at the end, makes you
feel you’ve been through a whole lifetime, gaining a lifetime of emotions, memories,
and wisdom.

Your favorite website:

Listverse.com

Two adjectives your friends would use to describe you:

Cosmopolitan and Clumsily Sophisticated

Your favorite recording:

Cirque du Soleil - Quidam. Just listening to them makes me shiver.

Your favorite keepsake or memento:

A bookmark from Japan given to me by my vovó/ A tennis ball key chain
given to me after two months of tortur- tennis with a sadistic and terribly sarcastic
Dutch coach

Your favorite source of inspiration:

The rain pouring down in the jungle. This is fortunate for I happen to have a
jungle in my backyard.

Your favorite word:

Godwottery - an affected quality of archaism, excessive fussiness, and
sentimentality

Your favorite line from a movie or book and its title:

“Oh it don't make no kind of sense. Big ol' ox like Grady won't sit next to a
colored child. But he eats eggs- shoot right outta chicken's ass!” – Sipsey, Fried
Green Tomatoes
“Nants ingonyama bagithi baba (There comes a lion)/ Sithi uhhmm
ingonyama (Oh yes, it's a lion)”- Lion King
“

I will think of something else

“Culture is what presents us with the kinds of valuable things that can
fill a life. And insofar as we can recognize the value in those things
and make them part of our lives, our lives are meaningful.” Gideon
Rosen, Stuart Professor of Philosophy, chair of the Council of the
Humanities and director of the Program in Humanistic Studies,
Princeton University.
 I was born into three and a half cultures: French, American, Brazilian, and
Mauritian.
I say half because although my father is French-Mauritian, and although I
often visit my family in Mauritius, I have not truly immersed myself in the Mauritian
culture as I have in French, American, and Brazilian. These are so much a part of me I
can’t imagine my life or my personality without them. From my French family, I
learned to be brave when confronting new foods (how else could one consciously eat
snails), the value of self-deprecating humor, and the art of arguing. From my
American school and friends, I learned to be punctual (a rare quality in anyone from
Bahia, Brazil), straightforward, and confident when facing new challenges. From my
Brazilian family and my country, I learned to laugh at my problems and enjoy
whatever life brings me. I celebrate Bastille Day, cut the turkey on Thanksgiving and
give white flowers to Iemanjá on New Years.
Naturally, then, I was confronted with an existential crisis at a very young age.
In my small school, there was segregation between foreigners and Brazilians. I and
one other girl were the only ones that were a part of both groups. My peers noticed
this and carried out several failed attempts at classifying me into one of the groups.
No matter how hard they tried, I could never be only Brazilian or only a foreigner- I
am very much a part of both.
In the beginning, I was resentful of my various cultures. I wished that I could
just choose one group and not long for certain aspects of the other. I wished to be able
to be completely satisfied with just one culture. I was full of teenage angst, confronted
with the ever-cliché and ever-present dilemma of “fitting in”. It didn’t occur to me
that I was actually incredibly lucky until a few years later, sitting in my great-aunt’s
house in Mauritius Island, surrounded by Brazilian and French family. The sky was a
cerulean blue, and if one concentrated they could hear the roar of the sea beyond the
multilingual chatter. Eating my great-grandmother’s spice cakes, playing bellote with
my I’ve-given-up-counting-how-many cousins and watching as my sister taught one
of my aunts how to samba I couldn’t help but realize that my life has become
exponentially richer because of all the cultures I am a part of.
Soon after my epiphany, I got involved in Model United Nations (MUN) and
came into contact with various other cultures. I learned to see things through different
perspectives, not necessarily agreeing with everything but at least understanding.
Defending and portraying a country as though it were my own can force anyone to
take into consideration factors they had previously not even wanted to acknowledge. I
also experienced several different cultures through my travels. I’m now the type of
person that is eager to try out new things, be they places, food, or activities. I
trembled when faced with the Chinese Imperial Palace, be it from excitement or the
bitter Chinese winter, I am unsure. I practically squealed when I participated in a tea
ceremony (almost scaring the poor ojou-sama to death), almost dropped my gelato
when I entered the Colloseum, and had to repress a shudder when I entered the old
slave trade center, Pelourinho. I love experiencing new sights and new cultures,
witnessing and participating in traditions and customs previously unknown to me. For
these are what make humans truly beautiful. It is our cultures and our diversity that
make us unique, that help define our values and our tastes. Culture is what makes our
lives meaningful.
Now, I cannot imagine a life where I don’t know how addictive the card game
belotte is, where I do not face my problems with pragmatism and confidence, where I
am not looked at a little strangely for smiling so brightly at strangers.
My epiphany came in an Oxford class for International Relations (yes, how boring to
have an epiphany in a classroom of all places. Where is the proper setting for a life-
changing moment when you need one? Where is the sunset and the music?) The
teacher was outlining the possible negative effects of globalization, one of them being
that cultures will be so mixed that eventually they will lose some of their uniqueness
and perhaps even meld into one monochromatic culture in the future. I was surprised
when the very idea brought about intense, paralyzing fear. A world with only one
culture? Where would the different art be? Where would humanity’s beauty in
diversity be?