If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

If I could give younger me one piece of advice I’d say: you’re more resilient than you think. Before moving abroad, I worried about everything: being far from home, struggling in a new country, not knowing anyone. I thought each of those challenges might be too much. But every time I faced one, I found a way through. I made friends even when I felt out of place, I learned to laugh at my mistakes, and I discovered that asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak. Looking back, I wish I had trusted myself more from the start. I’d remind younger me that the challenges won’t break you, they’ll just reveal just how strong you really are.

What’s your least favorite sport?

American football, 100%. I went to a small all-girls high school in NYC where our version of “football” was the volleyball team, so I never really learned the game through exposure. Over the years, plenty of people have tried to explain it to me, but somehow it never sticks. I only just found out this summer that there are two end zones, not one. I have a feeling my resentment towards football stems from the fact that my birthday is in early February, so every year there is a scary chance my birthday falls on the Super Bowl, stealing the spotlight on my day. I think it's fair enough though, imagine having family travel in to celebrate YOUR birthday, only for everyone to end up glued to the TV!

What’s an underrated kitchen appliance or gadget?

I recently rediscovered my apple slicer, and now I don’t know why I ever stopped using it. A crisp apple in the fall is unbeatable, but sometimes eating one straight from the core gets your hands sticky with juice. But slicing apples with a knife means balancing the apple, avoiding your fingers, and cutting around the core. With the apple slicer, in seconds you’ve got perfectly even slices and the core neatly removed. It’s not flashy or high-tech, but I’d say it definitely deserves more love.

What song is most likely to get you on the dance floor?

Anything Y2K. Ke$ha, Rhianna, Lady Gaga, you name it, I’m sprinting to the dance floor. There’s just something about that late 2000s/early 2010s era of music. It’s pure nostalgia and instant adrenaline that demands you dance your heart out.

What does Skola mean to you?

To me, Skola is possibility. When I started my own journey abroad, I didn’t always know where to turn for answers, and the process often felt overwhelming. I had to figure things out on my own, and while it was challenging, it also changed my life. The friendships I made and experiences I had are something I wouldn’t change for the world. I developed confidence to handle challenges I never imagined I could face. Being a part of Skola isn’t just about sharing tips or resources (though we do plenty of that!) but about empowering students to realize they’re capable of more than they imagined. I hope to show students that the world is bigger than they think!