Leading with humility, curiosity and care

Through this website, I share my journey of personal growth, vulnerability, and empathy through the experiences that have shaped who I am. By reflecting on my setbacks as well as my achievements, I show how each challenge has helped me grow stronger and more compassionate.  I still get shy. I still doubt myself. But I’ve found strength in vulnerability and purpose in helping others feel seen, heard, and valued. I lead with kindness. I listen with intention. I stay curious. And I show up, not because I have to, but because I believe that presence itself can be powerful.

I’m a high school student who loves to learn about the world. My passion is exploring medicine, and I am fascinated by the older ways of practicing medicine. I believe that learning about the history of the places I visit and experiencing their culture helps me see how ancient traditions and discoveries have influenced the way we practice medicine. I am also a writer, a researcher, and above all, a curious person who believes that passion isn’t limited by age. My experiences have given me a global perspective that now shapes how I approach medicine and service: I start with listening, work to bridge language gaps, build and advocate for community, stay genuine, recognize that help is measured not by hours but by meaningful impact, celebrate even small wins, push beyond comfort zones, and evolve personally.

Spending time with refugee families, not as a volunteer but as a friend, taught me the power of presence. Listening, not to respond, but to understand gave me a deeper perspective on resilience, displacement, and belonging. That same desire to connect beyond the surface led me to the Peruvian Andes, where I immersed myself in a culture both ancient and alive. I don’t want to understand a culture from the outside looking in. I want to feel it from within, to breathe its rhythm, and to walk beside its people.

My journey hasn’t been perfect. It’s been shaped by quiet struggles and small, steady steps forward. For a long time, I was the shy kid in the room. I didn’t always speak up. I’ve sat alone, hoping someone would notice or include me. I struggled with my weight as a child and felt out of place in Taekwondo classes when I couldn’t keep up. Those moments made me feel small, but they also taught me to notice when others feel that way too.

That’s why I try to be the person I once needed: someone who notices, listens, and quietly shows up. Helping others isn’t about being the hero. It’s about growing with the people you serve. Sometimes I’ve helped. Sometimes I’ve been helped. And those moments of shared humanity have shaped who I am.

This portfolio isn’t a list of accomplishments; it’s a reflection of the values I’m growing into.