Posts

World We Imagine Part 3: The Global Bridges Initiative

Image
Something that is very near and dear to me is the concept of multiculturalism. The principles of inclusion, immersion, and synthesizing of world cultures in pursuit of advocacy and social progress are fundamental to who I am. I have always been passionate about learning about the world around me and its diverse people and cultures. Perhaps this stems from having parents with contrasting upbringings: my mother was raised in the U.S. by a strict Italian Catho lic family and my father was born and raised in Iran. Having a multicultural background has given me a uniquely global perspective. Being raised in a multicultural home and making the most of many opportunities, I have built a foundation for advocacy and social progress on campus, in my community, and in the world at large. I believe it is my generation’s responsibility to bridge gaps, unite communities, and embrace diversity. When I was just 14, I attended a French immersion program in Biarritz, France. We were given a metro card a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review of "Balancing Humility with Audacity" featuring Jacqueling Novogratz (Extra Credit Opportunity)

Image
I watched the short documentary “Balancing Humility with Audacity,” featuring Jacqueline Novogratz, founder of Acumen. I really enjoyed the documentary, as it provided a behind-the-scenes view into her life and her book, The Blue Sweater. In the documentary, she shares how she started Acumen, a non-profit organization that seeks to invest in global poverty through patient poverty and sustainable investments. She discusses key concepts, such as impact investing, balancing purpose and profit, and redefining leadership. Her story is inspiring, and she convinces young entrepreneurs that it is possible to earn a profit while maintaining dignity. In the documentary, it is interesting to hear Novogratz’s story on how she went from working on Wall Street to moving to Africa and working in microfinance to serve low-income individuals. She shares her realization regarding the shortcomings of traditional banking sy stems, and specifically their exclusion of low-income individuals. This realizatio...
Post a Comment
Read more

Acumen Ventures and Academy (Extra Credit Opportunity)

Image
I read about Acumen and found it to be such an inspiring organization. Acumen is a nonprofit organization that focuses on finding solutions to social inequalities through entrepreneurial approaches, in a way that is both innovative and impactful. They combine profit with purpose, finding ways to create long-term solutions to those in underserved communities. Acumen demonstrates that it is possible to make meaningful change while still being financially sustainable, which is very refreshing in today’s society. They tackle many different issues that address pressing global challenges, while uplifting communities. Acumen Ventures As someone who is particularly interested in venture capital, I found it very interesting to read about Acumen Ventures. What sets Acumen Ventures apart is their commitment to social impact. Unlike traditional venture capital, Acumen Ventures prioritizes social impact alongside their financial sustainability. It is inspiring to see how Acumen Ventures demonstrate...
Post a Comment
Read more

World We Imagine: Part 1

I found this to be a beautiful quote by Jacqueline Novogratz. I strongly believe that cross-cultural understanding is an important aspect of society, and being able to learn more about other places in the world would truly make the world a better place. I really admire her desire to understand poverty in other countries throughout The Blue Sweater, despite having a steady banking job in New York. Her willingness to leave her comfort zone and immerse herself in the complexities of global inequality is inspiring. She actions demonstrate what is means to be a true global citizen, who not only recognizes global challenges, but takes it upon herself to address them. I think we can all take after Novogratz’s example, and strive to act like global citizens to make the world a better place. This means adopting a global mindset, of curiosity, compassion, and responsibility for the world around us, beyond our own borders. Valuing the interconnectedness of humanity is very important to understand...
4 comments
Read more

Random Post 2: My Addiction to Sushi

Image
While most people crave soups and hot chocolate during winter, I crave sushi. Many switch out their light salads for more comforting foods during the colder seasons, but my craving for sushi stays true — year round, 25/8. Although it may not be a traditional “comfort food,” it is MY comfort food. I eat sushi way more than I like to admit, and at times, my parents are concerned that I may get mercury poisoning from my over-consumption.   Let’s be real, LA’s “cold” seasons aren’t all that cold, but there is a real change in the atmosphere. Especially with the recent daylight savings time shift, LA starts to feel quitier and more reflective. In a place where snow boots just don’t make sense, there is something about having a nice spicy tuna cut roll while cozying up my the fireplace as the city winds down. I know it’s not the conventional winter ritual, but nothing else can quite match this feeling. Some people might look at me funny when I say that, but it is the perfect pairing with...
7 comments
Read more

Resilient: Book 2 Post 2

Image
As I continued to read Resilient by Dr. Rick Hanson, I gained valuable insights into how to grow a resilient mindset. I chose this book because I have always been drawn to self-help books, and this one seemed applicable to my everyday life in managing stress levels in my everyday life. Overall, I enjoyed the book very much and thought it provided practical tips on how to build a resilient mindset, using science-backed evidence related to our central nervous system and dopamine levels. It serves as an important reminder that we are always in charge of our mindset. By strengthening our mental resources, we are able to shift our perspective on our life’s challenges and find a sense of inner-strength. One of the key takeaways for me was Hanson’s emphasis on self-compassion. In order to be kind to others, be truly motivated, or handle obstacles with resilience, we first must be kind to ourselves. When we guide ourselves with compassion rather than criticism, we are able pursue opportunities...
5 comments
Read more

Resilient: Book 2 Post 1

Image
For Book 2, I chose to read Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core  by Dr. Rick Hanson. This book explores resilience as an inner-strength and a resource to approach life’s challenges. Hanson presents the idea that our life path is shaped by our world, body, and mind. He focuses on our mind being the most important, as it is what we have the most control over, and it can serve as a sense of stability. By building upon our mental resources and strengthening  our mind, he highlights that we can develop resilience against any situation. I always been a nerd for self-help books and have enjoyed reading Resilient so far. Hanson provides relevant strategies to our shift in mindset that can be implemented in our everyday lives.     One of Hanson’s key insights so far that I found particularly interesting was about self-compassion, which he describes as fundamental in achieving a resilient mind. He explains that before we can be truly compassionate towards others, we mus...
Post a Comment
Read more