Being a Voice, Finding My Own: My heart beat in my chest, just a twelve-year-old girl stepping up in front of the school to give a message on facing adversity and what it means to not give up. I could feel my legs shaking as I held my note cards in my hand. Looking around the room, I was surprised by how many teachers were there to listen to "our" story. My mouth grew dry, but I refused to let it hinder me and my message. That day, almost nine years ago, I was speaking to my school about what it means to live with non-speaking autism and the story of my brother’s incredible ability to overcome. I was invited to speak on his behalf because he could not, and I chose to be his voice that day. I haven’t stopped since. When confronted with adversity, I have learned to see challenges not as roadblocks but as opportunities to grow stronger. Much of this mindset comes from my family, especially my brother, who has non-speaking autism, and my single mother, who raised us with perseverance and love. Growing up in a household shaped by both disability and resilience, I learned early on how to adapt. My brother’s experiences made me more empathetic and patient, while my mom’s unwavering strength showed me that there is always a way forward. Watching her juggle the responsibilities of raising two children alone, while ensuring that my brother had the support he needed, instilled in me a deep sense of determination. When things were difficult, my mom would remind us of our worth and our ability to overcome. Her grit became my foundation. This perspective has carried me through my own challenges. When I chose to leave home to study at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and later abroad in Kyoto, Japan, I faced the unknown head-on. Living thousands of miles away from family in a culture so different from my own was not easy. I struggled with language barriers, homesickness, and the daily adjustment of navigating life in a country that is almost opposite to the one I grew up in. Even something as small as learning how to manage yen responsibly became an important lesson in resilience. Each challenge, big or small, reminded me that adversity is an invitation to adapt, grow, and keep moving toward my goals. When I think about my career aspirations, I hope to pursue graduate studies in Japan, studying human rights, and working for an international organization to promote equality. I know they are ambitious. But adversity has taught me not to shy away from big dreams. Instead, I take steps to prepare myself, both academically and personally. I focus on building cross-cultural skills, strengthening my financial responsibility, and embracing opportunities that challenge me to step outside my comfort zone. Most importantly, I carry with me the lesson I’ve learned from my brother: progress looks different for everyone, and strength does not always appear in conventional ways. His perseverance in facing daily obstacles inspires me to keep working toward my goals, even when setbacks occur. He has shaped my commitment to inclusivity, empathy, and peace values that I hope to reflect in any career I pursue. From my mom, I learned grit. From my brother, I learned empathy. And from my own experiences, I’ve learned to carry those lessons forward. No matter what obstacles lie ahead, I know resilience, open-mindedness, and determination will guide me toward achieving my aspirations.

The Value of Every Yen: Living in Kyoto, Japan, I had to learn from the very beginning how to manage money differently than in the United States. Japan is a largely cash-based society, which was a striking adjustment compared to America’s card-centered system. Every time I bought food, medicine, or train tickets, I had to physically hand over yen, rather than swiping a card and forgetting about the transaction. At first, this felt inconvenient, but over time it taught me an important lesson: when you see your money leave your hand, you become much more mindful about how you spend it. This experience shaped how I now think about financial responsibility and my long-term goals. Building credit early is important to me because I know it lays the foundation for my financial independence. Good credit is not just about borrowing money; it determines access to housing, opportunities for business, and the ability to invest in the future. I want to make sure that when I am ready to pursue graduate school, work abroad, or even start a business, I have the stability and trust that strong credit provides. For me, building credit is also about freedom. The freedom to make choices without being limited by poor planning or financial missteps. One smart money move I have made is learning to budget carefully while living overseas. As a student in Kyoto, I didn’t have the luxury of calling home for extra money whenever things got tight. Instead, I learned to plan ahead, set aside enough cash for essentials like transportation and groceries, and only then decide what was left for exploring the city or traveling. This habit of prioritizing needs before wants has stayed with me, and it is something I know will serve me throughout my life. Another financial lesson I’ve learned the hard way is how quickly “small” purchases add up. In Japan, convenience stores are everywhere, and it’s tempting to stop in for a snack or a drink without thinking. At one point, I realized that those casual, frequent stops were quietly draining my budget. That realization was humbling, but it made me more intentional about tracking my spending and asking myself whether a purchase aligned with my bigger goals. Now, I’m much more thoughtful about what I choose to spend money on and why. Looking toward the future, I plan to take control of my finances by continuing to build strong habits. I intend to open a credit card soon and use it responsibly to establish credit while paying it off consistently. I also plan to continue budgeting, saving, and educating myself about investments so that I can grow my money rather than simply spend it. Most importantly, I want to use money not just for myself, but in ways that allow me to help others, whether through supporting my family, contributing to causes I care about, or building a career where I can make a difference. A little about me: I am an Asian Studies major at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, passionate about culture, human rights, and peacebuilding. I grew up in a single-parent household, and my mother’s strength and sacrifices have inspired me to work hard and dream big. What motivates me most is the desire to live a life of purpose, one where I use my talents, education, and opportunities to create a kinder and more understanding world. Building a solid financial foundation is part of that vision, because I believe that true independence means being able to pursue your dreams without being held back by financial barriers.

A Mother’s Legacy: The first thing my mom instilled in me as a single mother was to never take no for an answer. There is always a way to make something happen, and not giving up is part of the process of succeeding, of finding solutions when there seem to be none. Growing up, I was surrounded by love, support, and strength. My brother has non-speaking autism, and both his experiences and the way my mom raised us have deeply shaped who I am today. She constantly reminded us of our worth and what we can bring to the table. But it wasn’t always easy. Being a single mom brings challenges, but being a single mom to two children, one with a severe disability, forces a person to adapt and persevere in ways I once thought were normal but now recognize as extraordinary. My mom’s seemingly limitless grit poured directly into my life. Because of her example, I became a dreamer. I chose to leave home and study thousands of miles away at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where I also studied abroad in Kyoto, Japan. I would never have had the courage to chase adventure and embrace uncertainty if my mom had not shown me that anything is possible when you start with one step. Living in another country shaped me into a more grounded and well-rounded person, expanding both my goals and my worldview. My desire to travel, learn, and connect with people different from myself was born from my family. Growing up with my brother taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of inclusion. Growing up with my mom taught me resilience, grit, and hope. Together, they gave me the perspective to see the world as a place that desperately needs more peace, kindness, and understanding. After graduating from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a degree in Asian and International Studies and a minor in Peace and Conflict Resolution, I plan to return to Japan for graduate school and study human rights. My dream is to work for an international organization devoted to building a more equitable future. It’s a big goal, but I’ve learned that dreaming big and worrying little is the mindset that carries you forward. More than a career, I want to continue developing my ability to connect across cultures, histories, and perspectives. I want to use my talents to create spaces of peace wherever I go, whether through research, advocacy, or simply building bridges of understanding between people. My future may not have a clear job title yet, but its direction is shaped by what I value most: empathy, resilience, and a commitment to human dignity. This story is also a thank you to my mom. Our Scandinavian mother gave everything so that my brother and I could flourish. Her sacrifices taught us a kind of determination many people never learn in a lifetime. Because of her, I have lived a rich, colorful life that I cannot begin to explain fully. She taught us that when darkness threatens to settle in, we can always reach for the light. Thank you, Mama, for showing us that life is meant to be lived as an adventure, and for reminding us that there is always a way forward.

Breaking Down the Wall: Finding Confidence Through Language and Resilience Throughout my life, I’ve been called an empath, someone who deeply feels and supports others. But behind that caring nature, I often struggled with confidence. I faced experiences that made me question my intelligence, identity, and creativity. As a young girl, I couldn’t read, write, or spell. My mother, a literature teacher, quickly recognized the signs of dyslexia and took it upon herself to teach me from the ground up. Thanks to her persistence and love, I slowly learned to navigate a world that often didn’t feel built for someone like me. She taught me never to give up, even when learning felt impossible, and especially when the system failed to understand my needs. English was the language I grew up with, yet it felt foreign to me. I had to work twice as hard to achieve what came easily to others. It affected my self-esteem deeply. I felt disconnected, misunderstood, and constantly behind. Over time, I began to see language as a wall that separated me from the world, but slowly, I learned how to climb it. After years of hard work, I became a capable writer and started excelling in school, even in English literature classes. That growth gave me the courage to challenge myself again this time by learning Japanese, a language I had dreamed of studying since I was young. I knew it would be difficult, but I also knew I had the resilience to try. I took a leap and studied abroad in Kyoto, Japan, as part of my Asian Studies major. I was back at square one, struggling to understand and express myself. The same fears came up: What if I’m wrong? What if I’m not enough? But I kept going. I spoke even when I made mistakes. I listened, I learned, and I grew. I realized confidence doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from trying, failing, and continuing anyway. While abroad, I began building a website to help other students prepare to study in Japan. It’s part journal, part resource guide. It covers real-life topics that many students struggle with: applying for visas, managing medications, getting insurance, finding scholarships, and adjusting to daily life. I include study tips, packing lists, and reflections on the small, meaningful parts of living in another country. My goal is to help others feel ready, confident, and supported. I created the kind of resource I wish I had when I started, something honest, practical, and empowering. I know what it feels like to enter a new world unsure of yourself. That’s why I want to make the process feel less overwhelming for others. This journey has taught me that health is more than physical, it’s emotional, mental, and spiritual. It’s about believing in yourself, even when it’s hard. It’s about showing up, again and again, and choosing growth over fear. I don’t have a perfect path, but I have a real one. And through every challenge, I’ve gained not only strength, but a deep desire to help others believe in themselves too.